Is there one who would not weep Whelmed in miseries so deep Christ's dear Mother to behold?
Pray for us, Virgin most sorrowful
That we may be made worthy of the promises
of Christ.
and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross
you have redeemed the world.
Station 4
(4)Jesus' path takes him to a powerful source of his strength to continue. All his life, his mother had taught him the meaning of the words, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord." Now they look into each other's eyes. How pierced-through her heart must be! How pained he must be to see her tears! Now, her grace-filled smile blesses his mission and stirs his heart to its depth. Love and trust in God bind them together.
As I watch them in this place along the way, I contemplate the mystery of love's power to give strength.
She knows the sorrow in every mother's heart, who has lost a child to tragedy or violence.
I look at the two of them very carefully, and long for such love and such peace.
This is for me. Such incredible freedom. The availability of a servant. I find the words to express what is in my heart.
Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Meditation:
(2)The Mother.
Mary meets her son along the way of the cross. His cross becomes her cross, his humiliation is her humiliation, the public scorn is on her shoulders.
This is the way of the world. This is how it must seem to the people around, and this is how her heart reacts: "A sword will pierce your soul' (Lk 2, 35) The words spoken when Jesus was 40 days old are now coming true. They are reaching complete fulfilment.
Although the pain is proper to her, striking deep into her maternal heart, the full truth of this suffering can be expressed only in terms of shared suffering - ' com - passion.' That word is part of the mystery; it expresses unity with the suffering of the Son.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
