Written by: Amber Miller

With Ash Wednesday only a week away, Catholics begin to consider what steps we will take beside Christ down the Via Dolorosa. We’ll ask ourselves how we can join our sufferings to He Who suffered so well. Realizing that we, too, are responsible for Jesus’ condemnation and death, we ask that His blood be on our hands to wash us from our sin. If you have a moment, reflect on the suffering our Lord silently endured throughout His life, even from infancy.

They tore His robe

away from Him:

a babe so unaware.

They left Him cold,

naked, He laid,

vulnerable and bare.

They tore His robe

in darkened streets

hid ‘n from His Mother’s eyes.

They taunted Him

and egged Him on;

His were not battle cries.

They tore His robe

they did not like

the things He had to say

and tear by tear

they chose right there

just what they’d take away.

They tore His robe

off bloodied skin,

divided it in two.

Now that’s the prize

before your eyes-

they offer half to you.

You take the robe

into your hands

and give it one last tear.

You discard it

onto the dirt,

while watching others stare.

Others stare.

Just one last tear.

Before your eyes:

Behold the prize!

Others stare

and tear by tear

you make your choice

in darkened streets.

Others stare

So unaware

Hid’n from Mother’s eyes

naked, He laid:

vulnerable and bare.