Stations of the Cross (9)

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem (Luke 23:27-31)

Luke 23:27–31 (NIV84)

27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then “ ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ 31 For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

As Jesus continued,

painfully stumbling along the road to Calvary,

a group of women joined themselves to the procession,

wailing in the manner normally considered

appropriate for a funeral procession.

But Jesus told them to cry out to God

for themselves and their own children.

Some of us are never far from tears,

and some of us have forced ourselves not to cry.

Bring our tears into Your captivity and direction,

that they respond to Your voice.

Lord, You have the words of eternal life.

Lord, You have the words of eternal life.

You are with us in our pain

and suffering. Companion in our loneliness.

You know our needs and desires,

our hunger and passion.

Lord, You have the words of eternal life.

Lord, You have the words of eternal life.

.