Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
Reading – John 19: 23-25
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
‘Let’s not tear it,’ they said to one another. ‘Let’s decide by lot who will get it.’
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said,
‘They divided my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.’
So this is what the soldiers did.
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Reflection
The soldiers strip Jesus of his garments, treating him as a common criminal. Jesus is stripped of all dignity, shamed by his nakedness. Pray for all victims of sexual violence, for those who feel they have been robbed of dignity. The soldiers draw lots for his clothes. Pray for those who treat people cheaply and objectify others
Prayer:
We adore you O Christ and we bless you,
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.