Lourdes Lower Station 10

The Lourdes Lower Station 10 of the Cross, where Jesus is stripped of His garments, holds profound significance in the Passion narrative. In this moment, the Roman soldiers attempt to further humiliate Jesus by taking His tunic and casting lots among themselves.

I reflect on the deep humiliation associated with being stripped of one's clothing. It brings to mind those who are imprisoned, deprived of their personal belongings and given a uniform, stripped of their dignity and left in a vulnerable state. This station invites me to deepen my understanding of Christ's suffering and His sacrificial love for me.

It also teaches me the importance of serving others with humility, dignity, and compassion, especially those who are elderly and unable to care for themselves, or those who are gravely ill. Jesus, nearing His own death, was publicly stripped of His dignity by the soldiers.

As I stand here with others, contemplating this station, I feel a sense of unity with friends, family, and even strangers, sharing in our collective suffering and embracing our vulnerabilities. Together, we engage in prayers that transform us through God's grace.

The Lourdes Lower Station 10 challenges me to release my pride and be open to the healing power of God's mercy. By striving for a more just and compassionate world, I aim to follow the example of Jesus, who willingly endured humiliation and shame for the sake of humanity. In doing so, I can become an instrument of His love and redemption in the world.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy Cross,
thou hast redeemed the world.

My innocent Jesus, by the merits of the painful torment Thou hast experienced, help me to strip myself of all affection to things of earth, in order that I may place all my love in Thee.
The Way of the Cross of Saint Alphonsus Liquori

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

v. Have Mercy upon us O Lord.
r. Have Mercy on us.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Saint Alphonsus Liquori says it beautifully in this prayer for the help to strip myself of all affection of worldly things. This is so true of our attachments to worldly things. For the past 8 or so years I have been practicing detachment from things. Things I really don't need to have just for the sake of having. I find it to be very freeing for many reasons. 

Praying for those who are stripped of their dignity and rights, such as victims of human trafficking, refugees, and the homeless. Lord, I ask for the strength to be a voice for the voiceless and to work for justice and peace.

By lifting up the vulnerable in prayer, we unite our hearts with the compassionate heart of Christ.

Sit or stand in silence and be present with the scene of the 10th Station. Allow yourself to be open to the presence of God and to receive any insights or emotions that arise. This form of prayer can help you connect more deeply with the mystery of Christ's suffering and His love for you.

Depending on where you are walking or climbing to reach each station of the cross it can be challenging mentally and physically. Here is where I take the opportunity to ask for help as I experience this moment.

The stripping of Jesus teaches us about the power of redemptive suffering. Jesus' willingness to endure humiliation and shame for the sake of humanity transforms our understanding of suffering. It becomes a means of grace, drawing us closer to God and inviting us to participate in the mystery of salvation.

This station calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are stripped of their dignity and rights.

Jesus' willingness to be stripped of His dignity challenges us to let go of our pride and to open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace. By acknowledging our own vulnerabilities, we can grow in compassion and empathy for others.

I had read that Mary made this tunic for Jesus when he was born, and that as he grew and aged this tunic also grew with Him. It was a seamless tunic and stated below and couldn't be divided amongst the soldiers. Is this another mystery to ponder or dive deeper into research?  

Another point to ponder is what ever became of His Clothing?

Casting lots for a condemned person's clothing was a common practice among Roman soldiers. It was seen as a fringe benefit of their grim duties. The soldiers would divide the garments among themselves, and if there was an item that couldn't be easily divided, such as a seamless tunic, they would cast lots to determine who would keep it.

The seamless tunic worn by Jesus is mentioned specifically in John 19:23-24. This tunic, woven in one piece from top to bottom, was a valuable item. Rather than tearing it apart, the soldiers cast lots to see who would take it. The seamless tunic can be seen as a symbol of Jesus' unity and wholeness, even in the face of suffering and division.

The fate of Jesus' clothing is not detailed in the Gospels beyond the fact that the soldiers divided it among themselves. However, the seamless tunic has taken on significant symbolic meaning in Christian tradition. It represents the unity of the Church, which, despite human sinfulness and division, remains whole and undivided through the grace of Christ.

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