Way of the Cross: Fourth Station

Jesus meets His Mother

V. We adore you, O Christ and praise you.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading

From the Gospel according to Luke

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent to a city of Galilee whose name is Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary… And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary. For you have found favour with God. And look! You will conceive in the womb, and bear a son. And you shall call his name Jesus. This one will be great, and will be called Son of the Most High. And the Lord will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he shall rule over the house of David for ever and of his reign there shall be no end.’

Meditation

The figure that Mary saw did not look like one who would rule without end. The words of the angel must have seemed like a cruel joke to her. Do you sometimes feel like she did?

Prayer

Mary, our mother, you chose to let a sword pierce your heart so that all of us could find our way to our Father’s house. Pray for us to your Son so that we may not be cynical and lose hope when all seems lost and pointless.

Close

All: Our Father …
Is there one who would not weep,
Whelm'd in miseries so deep
Christ's dear Mother to behold?
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