Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Sorrowing Mother
LUKE 2:34B-35
This child is destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.
Jesus’ mother was the first human to love him, bringing him into the world under extraordinary circumstances. Now they meet face to face, at the moment when she can do nothing to ease her child’s pain. As a mother, she loved him and nurtured him, and set him free as an adult. Now, she must watch him endure suffering.
PSALM 86:16-17
Turn to me and have mercy upon me;
Give your strength to your servant; and save the child of your handmaid.
Show me a sign of your favor,So that those who hate me may see it, and be ashamed;
Because you, O Lord, have helped and comforted me.
Giving thanks for the life and example of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Pray for—
- • your own parents, and for those who have been like mothers and fathers to you, transcending the bonds of blood. Give thanks for all the love and joy they have brought you, and grieve for any way you have injured your parents.
- • those whose relationship with their parents is broken, and for those parents who have been unable to parent their children because of need or illness.
- • those for whom you father or mother physically, spiritually, by adoption, or personally, that they may grow in wisdom and favor with God.
- • yourself, that as a child and a parent you may know the love and commitment of Mary.