Station 14: Jesus is laid in the tomb
They…laid him in a rock-hewn tomb, where no one had ever yet been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid, then they returned and prepared the spices and ointments.
Luke 23: 53b - 56 – 60
Reflection: Joseph and the men with whom he had made arrangements carried the shrouded body of Jesus down the hill, to a garden where there was a new tomb. The little party crowded into the small space.
No doubt Mary gave the final touches to the body of her son, so that the body lay comfortably, the folds of the shroud neat. Time was short; the Sabbath was beginning. How hard it was for her to pull herself away; how painful to leave “him” there in the coldness of the grave. Leaning on John’s arm, she allowed herself to be led away.
Death is so much a part of each woman’s life. Each month, she experienced in her body something of a dying as the potential for life is flushed away. But if death is an integral part of our lives, so is birth and new life. In the strength of that wisdom, in the spirit of Jesus, we can walk through the death times into life.
Luke 23: 53b - 56 – 60
Reflection: Joseph and the men with whom he had made arrangements carried the shrouded body of Jesus down the hill, to a garden where there was a new tomb. The little party crowded into the small space.
No doubt Mary gave the final touches to the body of her son, so that the body lay comfortably, the folds of the shroud neat. Time was short; the Sabbath was beginning. How hard it was for her to pull herself away; how painful to leave “him” there in the coldness of the grave. Leaning on John’s arm, she allowed herself to be led away.
Death is so much a part of each woman’s life. Each month, she experienced in her body something of a dying as the potential for life is flushed away. But if death is an integral part of our lives, so is birth and new life. In the strength of that wisdom, in the spirit of Jesus, we can walk through the death times into life.
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Prayer: Companion of the sorrowful, be my strength as I say my goodbyes. Be my courage as I face what needs to be let go. Be my patience as I trudge along through empty days. Be my consolation as I carry sadness in my heart. Be my hope as I turn from the tomb and walk into the future. Be near, O God, be near.
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Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, AMEN.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, AMEN.
Jesus Christ crucified, have mercy on us.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, AMEN.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, AMEN.
Jesus Christ crucified, have mercy on us.
Photo used under Creative Commons from ethnosax
