The crowd following the procession had grown, most notably the women. Jesus could hear their crying and sobbing. He turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me; weep for yourselves and your children. (Luke 23:27)
They were stunned and confused at His meaning.
He continued, "For a time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breast that never nursed!' Then they will say to the mountains 'Fall on us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' for if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" (Luke 23:29-33)
Even at this moment of terrible suffering, Jesus was not thinking about Himself, He was thinking of humanity. These people needed to change their lives.
Prayer
Lord, how often have I been so immersed in my pain that I feel only the blows of my tormentors and have failed to look to others?
Guide us to follow Your guide and reach out with compassion and solace to our fellow travelers.
May gentleness become my cloak.
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.
God, teach us to mourn our sins and to repent and forsake them; that, by Your pardoning grace, the result of them may not be visited upon our children; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Holy Mighty One,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us.
IX
