V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. (You may bow your head or genuflect)
R. Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

Read and Listen: (Jn 19:23-24)

The soldiers took his garments and divided them four ways, one for each soldier. There was also his tunic, but this tunic was woven in one piece from top to bottom and had no seam. They said to each other, "We should not tear it. Let us throw dice to see who gets it." (The purpose of this was to have the Scriptures fulfilled: "They divided my garments among them; for my clothing they cast lots.") And this was what the soldiers did.

Reflect

When Adam sinned, he became aware of his nakedness before God and began to hide from him (Gen 3:7-10). Through sin, man began to abuse his fellowman. Stripping the other naked has since then meant the stripping of the other's dignity. Not only was Jesus beaten, mocked and condemned to crucifixion. The stripping of his garments marked the loss of his dignity before men. But that is only as far as it goes. Despite the abuse of oneself or of others on one's person, the dignity before God as made in His image (Gen 1:27) remains intact. So long as one says Yes to God's love for him, the distorted sense of dignity can be restored. Actually, it is the love of God that makes us whole once more. The saving love of Jesus for us reconciled us to God and the world. Recall the many abuses committed against men and women, and even against children—through drugs, prostitution, domestic violence, war, politics and economics, or even through religion. We have to raise our voices, if need be. But we must fight these abuses through works of justice and love. The peace of God comes through justice and love.

Pray

Dear Jesus, deep within me, I hate to see you being stripped of your garments. And yet through my abusive behavior on others who are your brothers or sisters, especially when power is in my hands, I desecrate you again. Help me see once more the beauty and dignity of each one of us. Make me love the other as you love him or her. Lord, for those whom I have offended, I am sorry. For those who have been abused and offended, I pray for their healing and growth in you. You alone are our salvation. Amen. (You may say the Our Father before you go to the next station.)