Station XIII

Station XIII: The body of Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading:

All you who pass by, behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow. My eyes are spent with weeping; my soul is in tumult; my heart is poured out in grief because of the downfall of my people. “Do not call me Naomi (which means Pleasant), call me Mara (which means Bitter); for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.”

Her tears run down her cheeks:
And she has none to comfort her.

Reflection:

Our world is filled with grieving mothers: for children who have died by gun violence, for sons and daughters lost in war, for lives cut short by violence, disease, addiction and mass incarceration.  In recent years, we have heightened our awareness of the grief in this country that is compounded by racial injustice. The violence of our world is a place of pain; that pain is not unknown to the God who loves us. As we reflect in the silence of Christ’s own death and his mother’s grief, we offer into the hands of God the pains of our hearts for those who suffer in this world.

Say the names of those you know who are grieving.

Say the names of those who you might not know, but whose families and communities are grieving: https://sayevery.name/

Hold in prayer those names known only to God, who knows and loves each and every one by name.

Lord, have mercy.

Closing Prayer:

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Lead us from prejudice to truth: deliver us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Direct Link to Station XIV