When I was in the Holy Land, we walked the Via Dolorosa. This was probably one of the most moving experiences of my spiritual life. I remember each Station vividly. Every step became more difficult. The crowds of people around us were acting like nothing had ever happened on this street. Much like that Good Friday. “Don’t they care?” Can’t they stop for a minute and recognize what Jesus did? When I arrived at the 4th Station – Jesus meets His Mother I could not stop crying and had a hard time going on.
Our Blessed Mother stayed by Jesus - her Son -the whole way never leaving Him no matter how difficult it was.
I prayed the Way of the Cross with some friends last week. This one in particular is called Mary’s Way of the Cross and it is by the Little Sisters of the Poor. What struck all of us was the last line of each station’s reflection which I would like to share with you as we approach the foot of the cross.
FIRST STATION - JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DIE: All around me they shouted,” Crucify him!” I wanted to plead with them to stop, but I knew this had to be. So, I stood by and cried silently.
SECOND STATION - JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS: My pain for him was unbearable. I wanted to take the cross from him and carry it myself. But I knew this had to be so I walked on silently.
THIRD STATION - JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME: I wanted to protect him with my own body. But I knew this had to be, so I walked on and wept silently.
FOURTH STATION - JESUS MEETS HIS GRIEVING MOTHER: He stopped. Our eyes met, mine full of tears of anguish, his, full of pain and confusion. I felt helpless, then his eyes said to me, “Courage! There is a purpose for this.” As he stumbled on, I knew he was right. So, I followed and prayed silently.
FIFTH STATION - SIMON HELPS JESUS CARRY HIS CROSS: The guards had pulled a protesting man from the crowd. They forced him to pick up the back of the cross to help lighten my son’s load. He asked the guards why this had to be. I knew, and so followed silently.
SIXTH STATION - VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS: Her face seemed to say, “Why are you doing this to him?” I knew, so I walked on in faith, silently.
SEVENTH STATION - JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME: Seeing my son fall, get up again, and continue on, was bitter anguish to me. But, since I knew this had to be, I walked on silently.
EIGHTH STATION - JESUS SPEAKS TO THE WOMEN: He told them to shed tears for themselves, tears that would bring their conversion. They did not see the connection between that and his walk to death. I did, and as he walked on, I followed silently.
NINTH STATION - JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME: My heart pounded as I imagined what they would do to him next. But I knew this had to be, so I climbed the hill silently behind him.
TENTH STATION - JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENT: The sight of my son in such pain was unbearable. Yet, since I knew this had to be, I stood by and cried silently.
ELEVENTH STATION - JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS: There he was, my son, whom I love so much, being scorned as he struggled for the last few moments of earthly life. But I knew this had to be, So I stood by and prayed silently.
TWELFTH STATION - JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS: His earthly anguish was finished, but mine was greater than ever. Yet, this had to be and I had to accept it, so I stood by and I mourned silently.
THIRTEENTH STATION - JESUS IS TAKEN FROM THE CROSS: Then two men took the body from the cross and placed it in my arms. A deep sorrow engulfed my being. Yet, I also felt deep joy. Life had ended cruelly for my son, but it had also brought life to all of us. I knew this had to be, and I prayed silently.
FOURTEENTH STATION - JESUS IS PLACED IN THE TOMB: We brought Jesus’ body to a tomb and I arranged it there myself, silently weeping, silently rejoicing. I took one more look at my loving son, and then walked out. They closed the tomb and before I left, I thought, I knew this had to be...it had to be for you! I would wait in faith silently.
As His mother she wanted to take His pain away and she trusted God and knew this was the way it had to be.
How very difficult it is to journey with people in their suffering. We want to take their pain away and she teaches us through her actions that it is not ours to take away. We walk with each other and help
The reflections I just shared with you are instructive for us in walking the way of the cross:
· stand by silently
· cry silently
· walk on silently
· follow silently
· pray silently
· mourn silently
· walk on in faith
· stand silently
Let the Blessed Mother be our guide in walking the way of the cross this Lent.
(published by mjk)
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