(This is the second in a series of meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary by Reverend Addisalem Mekonnen, Spiritual Director of the Philadelphia Senatus)
Our Lady of the Rosary: The Second Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus was scourged at the Pillar
How can we enter into this mystery not only spiritually, but also physically?
Canon 1250: “All Fridays through the year and the time of Lent are penitential days and times throughout the entire Church. Canon 1251: “Abstinence from eating meat or another food according to the prescriptions of the conference of bishops is to be observed on Fridays throughout the year unless (nisi) they are solemnities; abstinence and fast are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and on the Friday of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Many people normally hit the gym and go on some type of diet in order to look good at the shore or for a wedding or some other public celebration. Living in a consumerist society, we see many companies that want to present their products as the easiest possible way to achieve impressive results in a short of amount of time. Other companies help people become physically fit by promoting some type of equipment that can be utilized at home. Some companies try to draw people to work out in their gym, with or without a personal trainer. It is praiseworthy to take care of our physical health because it is not only the soul, but the body that is consecrated to God in the Sacraments of Initiation. This is the reason why it is a serious sin to harm our body through illegal drugs or euthanasia. If we purify our intentions from vanity into opportunities to serve God by making a prayer of self-offering before we exercise, it then becomes a form of penance that points back to our Lord who was scourged at the pillar.
That form of penance would be a good start, but if you are unable to this, there is no need to be disappointed because it is the practice of fasting that is the most powerful way to practice penance. Our Blessed Lord practiced fasting in the desert and so through the Church He continues to call all of His disciples to fast as well. Fasting gives us an opportunity to mortify our senses which means it is a practical way to become detached from an inordinate love of pleasure for creatures and creation. Prayer coupled with fasting then gives an opportunity to have an intimate union with Jesus in an un-bloody manner in the second sorrowful mystery. If we are unable to fast for some good reason, then abstinence is another excellent practice of penance on Fridays. Fasting and abstinence are a means to an end of loving of God and neighbor, so if we do these penances out of spiritual pride it is no longer pleasing to God. Therefore, we should turn to our Lady to help us receive the grace to have purity of intention as we meditate on our Lord’s Scourging at the Pillar. If you want an in depth understanding of how and why we should fast, then I highly recommend reading “The Spirituality of Fasting: Rediscovering a Christian Practice” by Charles M. Murphy.