Fourth Station - Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother

As before, I like to contemplate on the words in the station...

Jesus - my Lord, Guide, Father, Truth, The Way

Meets -connects, engages, looks upon

His - belongs to, possess,

Afflicted - Grieve, Suffering, Stricken, Hurt

Mother - Source, First Tabernacle, parent, Guide, Love, Tenderness

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

Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Pr.: Now there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (John 19, 25 to 27)

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

My sweet Mother Mary! I cannot fathom your pain. It is so hard to see your own child (any child for that matter) being hurt or sick! How about bullied, spit on, or pushed around? I can relate to those tangible examples, but to even try to imagine what Mary went through... to see her child go through sooooooo much? I just can't. Mary is our Mother too. Jesus shared Mary, his mother, with us. Ask for her intercession - she is always willing. When I feel weak, lost, helpless - I can gain my strength from her example!

Pr.: 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. All: Amen