Station 8: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him.  But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children.”
                                                                                    Luke 23: 27 - 28
 
Reflection:    There is a turn in the road.  There, huddled together, is a gathering of women.  Some of them are gray-haired and bent’ some hold infants against their breasts.  Many are weeping, even audibly.  They are moved to compassion by the sight of the battered and bloody body of Jesus as he struggles toward Calvary under the weight of the cross.  Jesus, pauses, momentarily balances himself against the cross and speaks to the women.  He acknowledges their sympathy.

The women stand together, as women has always stood together.  With sisterly affection, women come to each other’s aid in the hour when one of them prepares to give birth; they draw close to comfort each other when one among them bears the burden of death of a spouse or child.  And in all the moments between, women stand in solidarity.
As I contemplate this scene, I remember women who have stood with me.  Who have I allowed to reach out to me in my pain?  Who is waiting for my sympathy and compassionate caring?
 
Prayer:  Mary, you have been there before me.  You have been dismayed and shocked by terrible, unwanted news.  You have known fear, sadness, and worry about the future.  You have had to quiet the heartaching distress within you.
You did not give up hope.  You did not drown in a pool of self-pity.  You did not let disappointment and anger destroy your ability to love.  You placed your trust in God.  Woman of Compassion, Mother of Sorrows, I draw inspiration from your journey.  Your faith and courage lead me to my own.
 
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.