Eighth Station - Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
(Solidarity and compassion)
(Solidarity and compassion)
Scripture Reading
Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children” (Lk 23:28).
Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children” (Lk 23:28).
Reflection
Shall we set our eyes to the path to Calvary for a moment? Picture the narrow and stony path where Jesus is carrying the cross with Simon. He barely has strength. He is about to approach another gate where people can see him, like at the gate where Mother Mary had a glimpse of him. He is about to fall. Simon didn’t let him fall. Now Simon loved him. May be he understood Jesus’ love for him.
The officers are at the gate to announce to those who are passing by that Jesus and the two thieves were condemned to death. A group of women had gathered together near this spot, and were weeping and lamenting; many carried young children in their arms; the greatest part were young maidens and women from Jerusalem, who had preceded the procession, but a few came from Bethlehem, and from other neighboring places, as well. They came to celebrate the Passover now they are witnessing the brutal violence of Roman Empire.
The distance between them was reduced. They saw the face of Jesus little more clearly. It was not the face they had seen before. It was disfigured by blood, sweat, spit and bruises. They couldn’t recognize him. They couldn’t take that picture to their hearts. They uttered loud cries, wept, and, according to the Jewish custom, presented him cloths to wipe his face. But they were not near Jesus and He couldn’t touch any.
Jesus stood with his cross. Turn to them and said with his broken voice.
For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'
Then he keeps consoling them although he is the one to be consoled. Jesus changed the hearts of these women.
Then Guards came and shouted “We don’t have whole day here. Let’s move. Part of our people is already in Calvary.”
Jesus moved again with his cross.
Personnel Reflection
Oh My Lord! How you were able to console others when others should have consoled you? You were under the injustice, brutal violence, abused situation and had no physical strength but still try to console others who are weeping for you? Didn’t you ever thought to accept the consolation and be with them for a short time? Why was that Jesus?
Jesus Speaks
My Son / My Daughter when we suffer we have only one consolation. It comes from above. It is not a mere feeling. It is a satisfaction. I was consoling my Father’s heart. When I am with my Father rest of the world doesn’t matter to me. I don’t seek consolation from other people. I was only focusing on my Father. I didn’t lose him even for a moment. That is why I was able to console these women when I was in physical agony. Although you see it as a suffering I did it with complete satisfaction. Not as a burden. That is the secret.
Shall we set our eyes to the path to Calvary for a moment? Picture the narrow and stony path where Jesus is carrying the cross with Simon. He barely has strength. He is about to approach another gate where people can see him, like at the gate where Mother Mary had a glimpse of him. He is about to fall. Simon didn’t let him fall. Now Simon loved him. May be he understood Jesus’ love for him.
The officers are at the gate to announce to those who are passing by that Jesus and the two thieves were condemned to death. A group of women had gathered together near this spot, and were weeping and lamenting; many carried young children in their arms; the greatest part were young maidens and women from Jerusalem, who had preceded the procession, but a few came from Bethlehem, and from other neighboring places, as well. They came to celebrate the Passover now they are witnessing the brutal violence of Roman Empire.
The distance between them was reduced. They saw the face of Jesus little more clearly. It was not the face they had seen before. It was disfigured by blood, sweat, spit and bruises. They couldn’t recognize him. They couldn’t take that picture to their hearts. They uttered loud cries, wept, and, according to the Jewish custom, presented him cloths to wipe his face. But they were not near Jesus and He couldn’t touch any.
Jesus stood with his cross. Turn to them and said with his broken voice.
For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'
Then he keeps consoling them although he is the one to be consoled. Jesus changed the hearts of these women.
Then Guards came and shouted “We don’t have whole day here. Let’s move. Part of our people is already in Calvary.”
Jesus moved again with his cross.
Personnel Reflection
Oh My Lord! How you were able to console others when others should have consoled you? You were under the injustice, brutal violence, abused situation and had no physical strength but still try to console others who are weeping for you? Didn’t you ever thought to accept the consolation and be with them for a short time? Why was that Jesus?
Jesus Speaks
My Son / My Daughter when we suffer we have only one consolation. It comes from above. It is not a mere feeling. It is a satisfaction. I was consoling my Father’s heart. When I am with my Father rest of the world doesn’t matter to me. I don’t seek consolation from other people. I was only focusing on my Father. I didn’t lose him even for a moment. That is why I was able to console these women when I was in physical agony. Although you see it as a suffering I did it with complete satisfaction. Not as a burden. That is the secret.