Eighth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
We adore You, O Christ and we praise You, because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were in bondage to beings that by nature are no gods; but now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits, whose slaves you want to be once more? (Galatians 4:4-9)
I considered your questions and the 8th station continued to come up. It is titled “comfort” [sometimes referred to as Jesus comforts the women of Jerusalem] but for me, as I reflected, it seemed more a challenge and warning than comfort. “Weep for yourselves and for your children”, does not sound very comforting to me. In fact, I find it somewhat ominous. It reveals to me how easily one can fall into bad choices and living and that we are visible examples to others; so much so that we must do our best to follow Jesus.
Following Jesus calls for great humility (Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. in Divine Intimacy calls it humiliations). I saw Jesus, God, who totally humiliated Himself by becoming human, like us! He was beaten, spit upon, crowned with thorns, ridiculed, forced to carry His own instrument of death, fell more than once, and killed. Not once do we hear Him cry out, whine, get angry, or fight back, and He could have won any match. In fact, He comforts many and quietly accepts help. He just keeps on towards one goal, doing His Father’s will.
I can relate to this as I often feel like I’m wading through arm-pit high water and the only way through is to keep my eyes straight ahead. Keep them on Jesus. His is the ultimate model of humility (humiliation) and love in order to do God’s will. How can I embrace that in my own life?! It’s scary; who wants to be humiliated? Jesus is calling me (all of us?) to come closer to Him so He can help. I know for sure I can’t do it myself!
Submitted by Cathy Ludwick, Pro Sanctity member, Wichita, Kansas
Christianity is never ending event of encounter with God. I have had the experience in the strangest of places of meeting someone who I have not seen in a long time and then for a period of
time, I see that person ALL the time! Perhaps this is the experience of the pious women. They saw Jesus and observed his work everywhere and then one day they stumbled upon him along the way of Calvary. They “run into God” and their hearts are moved to deep tears, not aware yet of the full meaning of his presence in their lives. In reality he wants them on his side, to know and understand him deeply. He directs them to be concerned for the others who need their tears and their prayers. Their encounter with God, Jesus, is an invitation to maturity.Dear Lord, How often my emotions are misplaced and I spin my wheels on things that are not important, and yet I cannot deny that you are there for me every step of the way. Lord, You are always greeting me with life, nature, beauty, wonder, truth and showing me how to grow in your full stature especially when I encounter you in suffering and failure. May I be attentive to your words and live always in your presence. Amen.
Submitted by Teresa Monaghen, Apostolic Oblate, Nebraska
Holy Mother, impress into my heart the wounds of your Son.
No comments:
Post a Comment