Station VIII
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
The women of Jerusalem, and their children, come out to comfort and thank him. They had seen his compassion and welcomed his words of healing and freedom. He had broken all kinds of social and religious conventions to connect with them. Now they are here to support him. He feels their grief. He suffers, knowing he can't remain to help them more in this life. He knows the mystery of facing the separation of death.
Reader: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
All: Because by thy holy cross
thou hast redeemed the world.
I look at their faces.
So full of love and gratitude,
loss and fear.
I contemplate what words might have passed between them.
I remember all his tender, compassionate,
merciful love for me.
I place myself with these women and children to support him.
This is for me.
So, I let this scene stir up deep gratitude.
Saw him then from judgment taken,
and in death by all forsaken,
till his spirit he resigned. |