Tag: Jesus

The Second Mystery of the Rosary: The Scourging at the Pillar
In Commemoration of Holy Week

Introduction

The Second Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary, The Scourging at the Pillar, invites us into one of the most painful moments of Christ’s Passion. After being unjustly condemned, Jesus is bound to a pillar and brutally whipped. This mystery is not only a historical event but a profound spiritual reflection on suffering, humility, and love.

The Biblical Scene

Following His trial, Jesus is handed over to Roman soldiers. According to the Gospels, He is scourged—a punishment intended to weaken and humiliate before crucifixion. The soldiers strike Him repeatedly, tearing His flesh, while He endures the agony in silence.

This moment reveals the stark contrast between human cruelty and divine mercy. Though innocent, Christ accepts the punishment without resistance, fulfilling His mission of redemption.

The Spiritual Meaning

The Scourging at the Pillar calls us to meditate on several key spiritual truths:
- Purification from Sin
  The lashes Christ endured symbolize the consequences of sin. In accepting this suffering, He takes upon Himself the burden of humanity’s wrongdoing.
- Humility and Obedience
  Jesus submits fully to the Father’s will. Despite having the power to stop His suffering, He chooses obedience out of love.
- The Value of Redemptive Suffering
  This mystery teaches that suffering, when united with Christ, can have deep spiritual meaning and transformative power.
A Reflection for Today

In a world often marked by injustice, pain, and suffering, the Scourging at the Pillar remains deeply relevant. It reminds us:
- To endure hardships with faith and patience
- To resist inflicting harm on others through words or actions
- To recognize Christ in those who suffer today
Each stripe borne by Christ becomes a call to compassion. When we encounter suffering—our own or others’—we are invited to respond with love rather than despair.

Prayer Meditation

As we contemplate this mystery, we may pray:

Lord Jesus,
You endured unimaginable suffering for my sake.
Help me to accept my trials with courage,
to turn away from sin,
and to grow in love and humility.
Amen.

Conclusion

The Scourging at the Pillar is a powerful reminder of Christ’s boundless love. Though marked by brutality, it reveals a deeper truth: that love is stronger than suffering. By meditating on this mystery, we draw closer to the heart of Christ and learn to carry our own crosses with grace.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com
April 1, 2026
The Week That Changed the World
The Week That Changed the World: A Catholic Journey Through Holy Week

From a Catholic perspective, Holy Week is the most sacred time of the year—a profound spiritual journey that truly changed the world. It commemorates the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, revealing God’s plan of salvation and opening the path to eternal life.

This week is not merely remembered—it is lived. Through liturgy, prayer, and reflection, Catholics enter into the mystery of Christ’s love, walking step by step from triumph to sacrifice, and ultimately to victory.

The Journey Begins: From Praise to the Cross

The journey begins with Palm Sunday (of the Passion of the Lord). Jesus enters Jerusalem to cries of “Hosanna!”—welcomed as king. Yet, within the same liturgy, the Passion narrative is proclaimed, reminding us how quickly human hearts can change.

This day sets the tone for the entire week: joy intertwined with sorrow, glory shadowed by sacrifice.

Betrayal and Preparation: Spy Wednesday

Midweek, often called Spy Wednesday, focuses on the quiet but devastating betrayal of Jesus by Judas.

It reminds us that sin often works in secrecy—and invites us to examine our own hearts. Where do we turn away from Christ? Where are we called back to fidelity?

The Sacred Triduum Begins: Holy Thursday

The evening of Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum—the holiest period of the Church year.

On this night, Catholics commemorate:
- The Last Supper
- The institution of the Eucharist
- The founding of the priesthood
- Jesus washing the feet of His disciples
This act of humility reveals the heart of Christian discipleship: love expressed through service.

The Sacrifice of Love: Good Friday

Good Friday is a day of profound silence and reverence.

There is no Mass. Instead, Catholics gather to:
- Hear the Passion of Christ
- Venerate the Cross
- Pray for the world
It is the day we remember that Jesus gave His life for the salvation of humanity. The Cross, once a symbol of death, becomes the ultimate sign of sacrificial love.

The Silence of Hope: Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday is a day of waiting.

Christ lies in the tomb. The Church is still. The world seems paused.

Yet beneath the silence, hope is alive.

That night, the Easter Vigil begins—the “mother of all vigils”—where darkness is pierced by candlelight, proclaiming that death will not have the final word.

The Triumph of Life: Easter

Easter is the culmination—the victory.

Christ is risen.

Sin is defeated. Death is conquered. Heaven is opened.

This is the foundation of Christian faith and the reason for hope in every age.

A Living Mystery, Not Just a Memory

For Catholics, Holy Week is not simply a historical timeline—it is a living participation in the mysteries of faith.
- It is an encounter with sacrificial love
- A call to conversion and renewal
- A journey that challenges us to choose forgiveness, humility, and grace
The Easter Triduum, from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday, stands as the pinnacle of the liturgical year because it reveals the deepest truth: love is stronger than sin, and life is stronger than death.

Enter the Story

Holy Week is more than something we observe—it is something we enter.

It invites each of us to walk with Christ:
- From praise…
- Through suffering…
- Into new life
This is why it is called the week that changed the world.

And it still changes hearts today.

If you liked this article, please leave your feedback, share with others, and come back for more stories.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com
March 29, 2026
Are You Jesus
Are You Jesus? Carrying On His Work in a Busy World

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Verse to live:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” — Gospel of Matthew 6:33

A Question That Changes Everything

Are you Jesus? At first, that question sounds uncomfortable—even wrong. But look deeper. You are not the Jesus, yet you are called to carry on His work. His love. His mission. His way of living.

Jesus didn’t just come to be admired—He came to be followed. And following Him means something radical: letting His life reshape yours.

The Problem: A Life Too Full

Modern life is loud, fast, and demanding.
Your calendar fills up. Your phone never stops. Your mind is always racing.

And somewhere in the noise, the quiet voice of Jesus gets drowned out.

How much of your busyness is preventing you from living the life Jesus is calling you to live?
- Are you too busy to listen?
- Too distracted to care deeply?
- Too guarded to love freely?
Busyness isn’t just a schedule problem—it’s often a spiritual barrier.

What Does It Mean to “Be Like Jesus”?

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To carry on His work means choosing His way daily:
- Love without condition
- Serve without recognition
- Forgive without limits
- Trust God without fear
Jesus lived with purpose, not pressure. He was never rushed, yet He changed the world.

When you “seek first the kingdom,” you’re not adding another task—you’re reordering your entire life.

Letting Your Guard Down

One of the biggest obstacles isn’t just busyness—it’s protection.

We guard:
- Our time
- Our emotions
- Our vulnerability
But Jesus calls you to something deeper: surrender.

Letting your guard down means:
- Being honest with God
- Allowing others to see your real self
- Trusting that God is enough
It takes courage. Real courage.

A Simple Shift That Changes Everything

What if today you made one small change?

Instead of asking:
“What do I need to get done today?”

Ask:
“How can I live like Jesus today?”

That one question can transform:
- Your conversations
- Your priorities
- Your purpose
Prayer

Jesus, give me the courage to let my guard down.
Jesus, give me the courage to let down my guard.

Help me to release the busyness that distracts me from You.
Teach me to seek Your kingdom first.
Show me how to carry on Your work in my everyday life.

Amen.

Final Thought

You may not be Jesus—but you are called to reflect Him.

And in a world full of noise, pressure, and distraction,
living like Him might be the most powerful thing you can do.

Thank you for reading this article. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com
March 26, 2026
“O Blood and Water…” — A Prayer of Mercy and Conversion
A Message Given in Mercy

In the private revelations recorded in the diary of Saint Faustina Kowalska, Jesus Christ entrusted a simple yet profound promise:

“When you say this prayer, with a contrite heart and with faith on behalf of some sinner, I will give him/her the grace of conversion.” (Diary 186–187)

The prayer itself is striking in its brevity:

“O Blood and Water, which gushed from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You.”

These words echo the mystery of Christ’s pierced Heart, from which flowed blood and water (cf. John 19:34), symbolizing the sacraments and the boundless mercy of God poured out for humanity.

The Meaning Behind the Prayer

This prayer is not merely devotional—it is deeply theological and spiritual:
- Blood represents the Eucharist, the life of Christ given for the world.
- Water symbolizes Baptism, the cleansing and rebirth of the soul.
- Together, they reveal Divine Mercy—God’s healing love offered even to the greatest sinners.
When we pray these words, we are:
- Placing our trust in Jesus
- Interceding for others, especially sinners
- Opening ourselves to conversion and grace
A Prayer for Others

One of the most powerful aspects of this promise is that it is intercessory. Jesus specifically says the prayer can be offered on behalf of someone else.

This means:
- You can pray it for a loved one far from faith
- For someone struggling with sin or despair
- Even for those who do not believe
It becomes an act of spiritual charity—standing before God for another soul.

The Role of a Contrite Heart

The promise is not mechanical. Jesus emphasizes two essential conditions:
- Contrition – a sincere sorrow for sin
- Faith – trust in His mercy
Without these, the words remain empty. With them, the prayer becomes powerful.

A contrite heart is not perfection—it is humility. It says:

“Lord, I need Your mercy—and so does this person I pray for.”

Living the Prayer Daily

You can incorporate this prayer into your daily life in simple ways:
- Morning offering – entrust someone to God’s mercy
- During struggles – repeat it when worried about someone
- At the hour of mercy (3 PM) – unite it with Christ’s Passion
- Before sleep – commend souls to God
Its simplicity makes it accessible anytime, anywhere.

A Fountain That Never Runs Dry

The image of the “fount of Mercy” reminds us that God’s mercy is not limited. No sin is too great, no soul too far.

This short prayer becomes a doorway:
- From despair → to hope
- From sin → to conversion
- From fear → to trust
And perhaps most importantly, it transforms the one who prays it.

Final Reflection

In a world often marked by judgment and division, this prayer calls us back to the heart of the Gospel: mercy.

Each time we whisper:
“O Blood and Water… I trust in You,”
we participate in a mystery greater than ourselves—the saving love of Christ reaching another soul.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com
March 22, 2026
Saint of the Day
Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary
- March 19
- Franciscan Media
- Saint of the Day
Saint of the Day for March 19

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Saint Joseph’s Story

The Bible pays Saint Joseph the highest compliment: he was a “just” man. The quality meant a lot more than faithfulness in paying debts.

When the Bible speaks of God “justifying” someone, it means that God, the all-holy or “righteous” one, so transforms a person that the individual shares somehow in God’s own holiness, and hence it is really “right” for God to love him or her. In other words, God is not playing games, acting as if we were lovable when we are not.

By saying Joseph was “just,” the Bible means that he was one who was completely open to all that God wanted to do for him. He became holy by opening himself totally to God.

The rest we can easily surmise. Think of the kind of love with which he wooed and won Mary, and the depth of the love they shared during their marriage.

It is no contradiction of Joseph’s manly holiness that he decided to divorce Mary when she was found to be with child. The important words of the Bible are that he planned to do this “quietly” because he was “a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame” (Matthew 1:19).

The just man was simply, joyfully, wholeheartedly obedient to God—in marrying Mary, in naming Jesus, in shepherding the precious pair to Egypt, in bringing them to Nazareth, in the undetermined number of years of quiet faith and courage.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=FSLZaZcsrHs%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Reflection

The Bible tells us nothing of Joseph in the years after the return to Nazareth except the incident of finding Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–51). Perhaps this can be taken to mean that God wants us to realize that the holiest family was like every other family, that the circumstances of life for the holiest family were like those of every family, so that when Jesus’ mysterious nature began to appear, people couldn’t believe that he came from such humble beginnings: “Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary…?” (Matthew 13:55a). It was almost as indignant as “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46b).

Saint Joseph is the Patron Saint of:

Belgium
Canada
Carpenters
China
Families
Fathers

Learn more about Saint Joseph!

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com
March 20, 2026