The fifth Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary Prayer Guide invites us to contemplate the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ: His Crucifixion and Death. As we hold our rosary beads and meditate on this mystery, we turn to the Gospel of Luke (23:33-46), which recounts the agonizing yet ultimately redemptive final hours of Jesus.
“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. [Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.’] They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, ‘He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God.’ Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, ‘If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.’ Above him there was an inscription that read, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’ Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.’ The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, ‘Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’
“It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’; and when he had said this he breathed his last.” – Luke 23:33-46
In this poignant passage central to any rosary prayer guide focused on the Sorrowful Mysteries, we witness not only the physical suffering of Jesus but also His immense compassion and forgiveness. Even as He endures crucifixion, Jesus prays for His persecutors, offering forgiveness from the cross. This act of divine mercy is a powerful lesson in our rosary reflections, urging us to seek forgiveness and offer it to others.
The dialogue between Jesus and the two criminals further enriches our meditation within this rosary prayer guide. The good thief’s humble acknowledgment of his sins and his plea to Jesus, “remember me when you come into your kingdom,” highlights the transformative power of repentance and faith, even in the face of death. Jesus’s immediate promise of Paradise underscores His boundless mercy and the hope of salvation for all who turn to Him.
As you pray this mystery in your rosary prayer guide, consider the darkness that enveloped the land, the tearing of the temple veil, and Jesus’ final words entrusting His spirit to the Father. These events signify a cosmic shift, the transition from the old covenant to the new, and the ultimate victory over sin and death through Christ’s sacrifice.
Fruit of the mystery: Sorrow for our Sins. Through meditating on the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus in our rosary prayer, we ask for the grace of true sorrow for our sins, recognizing the immense love that motivated Christ’s sacrifice for our redemption.
