The First Sorrowful Mystery

Jesus, we see you,
your soul sorrowful
even to death.

You were filled
with fear and distress
as you experienced solidarity
with every man
ever condemned to death,
with every woman
driven into exile with her children.

You were lonely,
isolated from humankind
because of the burden of sin,
ours not yours.

It pressed you to the ground.

You prayed
that the cup might pass,
and yet in the fire of your love
for the Father and for us,
you opened yourself up to his will
and said:

“Not my will but yours be done.”

Jesus,
may the mystery
of your love and your pain
change us
and set us on fire.