As we contemplate the passion and death of Jesus, we may notice Jesus’ mother and the other women. As I prayed the Stations of the Cross last Friday, I couldn’t help but notice several stations involving the women.
The 4th Station – Jesus meets his mother:
There really wasn’t much Mary could do for her Son, but it must have meant so much to him that his mother was there walking the path with him in his desolation and pain.
The 6th Station – Veronica wipes Jesus’ face:
That simple gesture of love had to have truly touched our Lord. It was nothing big, but she provided a few seconds of comfort amidst him being violently treated.
The 8th station – Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem:
The women were standing there along the way, crying for him. Instead of Jesus hearing jeers, he heard their tears and felt their compassion. “There were many women there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him.” Matthew 27:55
Mary his mother, John, and other women stood at the cross. They wept for him, prayed, and were present. They had journeyed the painful road with him and now stood with deep compassion and sorrow at the cross in his final hours. Their presence was noticed by Jesus. He knew that near him were a few people who stood with him and loved him. They accompanied Jesus and his mother in their sorrow and pain.
“Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there, facing the tomb.” Matthew 27:59-61
These two ladies remained sitting there facing the tomb. They still stayed.
Most of us have accompanied a friend, or husband, or family member through a difficult struggle — perhaps a divorce, the death of a loved one, someone going through chemo, assisting after a surgery, a mother in labor, an elderly parent, etc. etc. Perhaps all we did was sit in silence and hold the person’s hand, or listened, handed them a tissue, fluffed a pillow, gave a drink of water. But we were there, not with chapters of bad advice like Job’s friends, but like the women at the cross.
I believe journeying with someone in their pain and sorrow is a great service offered. It may not be big stuff, but rather just being there showing compassion.
Is there anyone God is asking you to accompany right now through a difficult time?
God bless you.
Mary Ann / Mother Hen
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