Remain - The Eighth Station

The Eighth Station

Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

source

Lk 23:27-31

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 child. For the days will surely come when people will say, "Happy are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne, the breasts that have never suckled!" Then they will begin to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!"; to the hills, "Cover us!" For if men use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry?' 

Our minds perceive only to the extent of the depth of our faith. The women of Jerusalem saw the sad state of Jesus but failed to understand what He was warning them about - that He is not the pitiful one for His glory awaits Him, but that the people of Jerusalem will be the ones to suffer. The sin of war and the evil in man's hearts will bring about so much suffering, torture and death. Mothers will be broken to lose their husbands and sons in war. 


We often recognise the poverty of others. We know when someone is poor financially and we are moved with pity for them. But we forget that poverty does not only entail the financial or physical dimensions of a person. We forget to search into our hearts to look for our own poverty. Our lack of love, wounds yet to be healed, anger that robs our peace, our attachments to meaningless things and activities, our insecurities and arrogance. 


REFLECTION
How are you poverty-stricken? 


REMAINING WITH JESUS
Reflecting more deeply on this eighth station in the Way of the Cross, and 
Knowing that to examine and recognize your own poverty will not bring forth pleasant feelings, will you still remain with Him in sincerity and honesty, and to bring your poverty before God, asking Him to fill your every need?