Jesus' mother is making her way towards the procession. She had held Him to her, nurtured, loved and raised Him. Now she knew she had to face the end of His time with her.
He stood before her, trembling under the weight of the cross, His face disfigured, His body bleeding. His mother tried to move closer, to speak with her Son. He tries to move toward her but in an instant the soldiers pushed Him away.
The soldiers could stop them from speaking but they could not break the love that passed between them in their eyes and their hearts.
Prayer
Lord, for all of us who carry our crosses after you, we must stand and watch the sufferings of those we hold dear. Their heartaches, their sickness, their grief.
Help me to always recognize those around me who love me and faithfully stand by me. Help me to hold onto their caring and to understand that I need them as others may need me.
Mary, my Mother, you were the first to live the way of the cross. Obtain for me the grace to understand the mystery, wisdom and love of the cross. Teach me the lessons it contains. Grant for me the grace to see Your Son in all.
Almighty God, who willed that in the Passion of Your Son a sword of grief should pierce the soul of His mother; mercifully grant that Your Church, having shared with her in His Passion, may be made worthy to share in the joys of His resurrection; who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Holy Mighty One,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us.
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