Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem ~ The Eighth Station

When Jesus stood outside the grave of Lazarus, his friend, Saint John's Gospel tells us that he wept. Weeping is hard crying, painful crying. Weeping comes from an especially deep inner place of hurt or relief. Maybe the death of Lazarus opened up these tears in Jesus as he wept for the sorrow of the whole world. 

Jesus had the sensitivity to weep for Lazarus, for his grieving sisters, Martha and Mary and for the anguish of all who suffer. And here, these women along the road are weeping for Jesus. 

Can I feel some hope for the world in this scene - that on this brutal Good Friday, there were at least these women who returned the favor and wept for Jesus. What a shame that some people think tears are a sign of weakness. Sometimes stopping to share the sorrow of others is the only thing, but the best thing we can offer. Tears can be an indicator of strong solidarity.

Our Father Who Art in Heaven...

Hail Mary full of grace...

Glory be to the Father...

Jesus Falls Again ~ The Seventh Station

Francis drying his diseased eyes

Thomas of Celano, an early follower, tells us that Saint Francis suffered increasingly from a disease of the eyes that left him blind. All light became unbearable as the disease progressed, such that Francis eventually had to cover his face with a cloth to shield his eyes against the daylight.

For treatment he made a difficult trip to Rieti in 1225, stopping for a while at San Damiano in Assisi. There he was troubled, night and day, by hordes of mice. In this miserable condition Francis turned to God with prayer:

I thank you, Lord God, 

for all my pains;

if it pleases you, O Lord,

increase them a hundredfold.

I shall thankfully accept

whatever sorrow you give,

not sparing me;

for in the fulfillment of your will

I find my greatest solace.

Jesus, falling beneath the cross without curses or complaint. Blind Francis at prayer, troubled by mice and blindness. Me in the today's struggles, pressures and inconveniences.

Our Father Who Art in Heaven...

Hail Mary full of grace...

Glory be to the Father...

Intercessions ~ Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday/ we pray for the Christians of the Holy Land who live difficult lives./ We pray as well for those who make pilgrimages to the shrines which mark the Lord's birth,/ life,/ death and resurrection./ We pray to the Lord.

As Jesus enters Jerusalem in humility/ we ask to go with him,/ putting away pretensions,/ self-sufficiency and power claims./ We pray to the Lord.

As we contemplate the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist this Thursday,/ we pray for communities where there is no priest./ We pray as well for those who have no bread./ We ask for renewal and growth in Christ./ We pray to the Lord.

As we gather around the Cross this Friday,/ we pray for those who suffer under their own heavy crosses./ For those who live where there is war,/ destruction,/ instability,/ abuse,/ hatred and violence./ We pray to the Lord.

As we contemplate Mary's sorrow this week,/ we pray for the mothers of the world to be able to care for their families without fear,/ but in peace,/ safety and security./ We pray to the Lord.

At Passover time we pray for the Jewish people throughout the world./ For peace in the land of Jesus and the Prophets of Israel./ And for blessings as Pope Francis prepares for a Middle East visit in May./ We pray to the Lord.

And for those who have died since last Holy Week/ and for all the departed:/ life eternal./ We pray to the Lord.