Friday, March 22, 2013

Fourth Station

AMCARE front office gardens 

The Fourth Station:  Jesus Meets His Mother.


1. Jesus' path takes him to a powerful source of his strength to continue.  All his life, his mother had taught him the meaning of the words, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord."  Now they look into each other's eyes.  How pierced-through her heart must be!  How pained he must be to see her tears!  Now, her grace-filled smile blesses his mission and stirs his heart to its depth.  Love and trust in God bind them together.

2. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

3. As I watch them in this place along the way, I contemplate the mystery of love's power to give strength.
She knows the sorrow in every mother's heart, who has lost a child to tragedy or violence.
I look at the two of them very carefully, and long for such love and such peace.

4. This is for me.  Such incredible freedom.  The availability of a servant.  I find the words to express what is in my heart.

5. "Come, all you who pass by the way, look and see whether there is any suffering like my suffering." —Lamentations 1:12
"Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother: 'This Child is destined to be the Downfall and the Rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed — and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare.'" —Luke 2:34-35
"Near the cross of Jesus there stood His mother." —John 19:25
"Because she was with child, she wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth." —Revelation 12:2

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the mother you gave me.


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