Scourging was a brutal form of punishment. When the leather was sufficiently hardened and the blows savagely applied, the pain was excruciating. If enough blows were given, the loss of blood alone could lead to death. Pilate thought the grisly sight would be enough to satisfy the mob's thirst for blood, and they would drop their demands for Christ's death. Even so, it was not to be. Mary of Agreda's vision takes us close up to this gruesome scene. If we let it, the sight can draw us more deeply into the startling mystery of Christ's passion.

Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and arrayed Him in a purple robe; they came up to Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck Him with their hands. Pilate went out again, and said to them, "See, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no crime in Him." So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!" When the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" - John 19:1-6

With excerpts from:

• The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich (https://bit.ly/3kaeP6l)
• The Mystical City of God by Ven. Mary of Agreda (https://bit.ly/3IhySaO)

GET THE BOOK - The Passion: Reflections on the Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ by Paul Thigpen (https://bit.ly/3IiSNpM)