Jesus meets his afflicted mother

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Jesus rises, wounded and bruised by the fall.  He journeys on, with the cross on his shoulders.  He is bent down, but at one place looks up and sees his mother.  For an instant they exchange a look of compassion and grief.  Jesus is pushed on.  Mary would rather have had all his sufferings of her son herself.   Her heart is broken in powerless love, bearing the pain.  Jesus gains a soothing and grateful moment of life, as he sees her sad smile amid the dreadful sights and painful noises around him.   That awesome and connecting look of Mother and Son!

To what can I compare you, O daughter Jerusalem? What example can I show you for your comfort, virgin daughter Zion?  For great as the sea is your distress; who can heal you? (Lam.2:13)

Let us pray.  O blessed Lord, at Your passion a sword of sorrow pierced the loving heart of Your mother as Simeon had foretold.  Grant that we who look back on her sorrows with compassion might receive the healing fruits of Your sufferings.  Teach us to love, appreciate and reverence the family of origin You chose for us.

Amen.

Processional Song:

 At the cross her station keeping, Mary stood in sorrow weeping, when her Son was crucified;

Stations of the Cross Images courtesy of carmelites.net