hope on

Station 13: Jesus is taken down from the cross and laid in the arms of His Mother

“When it was already evening, since it was the day of preparation, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died. And when he learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph” Mark 15:42-45

Station 14: Jesus is placed in the tomb

“After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. It was the day of preparation, and the sabbath was about to begin.  The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it, they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils. Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment” Luke 23: 53-56

Beneath the cross the Mother kept

Bleak vigil under darkened skies.

Upon the cross her Son hung nailed, 

Stabbed through by crowds of hostile eyes.

"And your own soul a sword shall pierce,"

The old man in the Temple said, 

The Spirit's sword, the word of God-

God's word be done, was all she said.

A soldier came and thrust Him through; 

The Blood and water proved Him dead.

They laid His body in her arms-

God's word be done, was all she said.

At vigil's end, the Crucified 

Arose from death her glorious Lord.

O Father, Son, and Spirit, God,

We praise and magnify your Word. 

I have meditated on these 2 stations of the cross many times, not only in the context of meditating on the Passion of our Lord, but also in my meditations of the Sorrows of the Blessed Mother.  These last 2 stations are also the last 2 sorrows of Mary.  Michelangelo’s Pieta is my favorite work of art without a doubt.  Jesus’ suffering was finally at an end, but Mary’s was not.  She held the precious Body of Christ in her arms once again, but this time He was limp and lifeless.  How could she help but recall cradling her little baby boy in her arms in that moment at the foot of the cross?  Remembering the joy of watching her Son move and breathe and laugh and sleep in her arms must have added to the unfathomable heartbreak known only by a mother who loves her Son with her whole heart, mind, soul and strength.  I can only imagine how the Heavenly Father  must have viewed this scene from eternity.  His two most Beloved, obedient servants, both at the end of their strength, in silence awaiting His Holy Will to continue to prove Faithful and trustworthy.  It is at this station, and this sorrow of Mary, that I ask to be like Mary.  To imitate her in faithfulness and obedience and trust in the Will of God in the midst of every cross of my own life.  To receive Jesus in my life in the Eucharist with total humility as she first did at the Incarnation, and again at the Foot of the Cross.  To hold Him with as much tenderness, gratitude, humility, and abandonment to the Father as she.  

And, at the tomb, as she watched the Light of the World enter into a dark cave, to have the hope in the Resurrection, in the Divine Will of the Father, that Mary had in the darkest moment of all time in the history of humanity.  If anyone ever had a reason to want to despair, it was Mary at the tomb, for she saw He Who is Love, Beauty, Truth, and Hope itself, go away from her, lifeless, into a dark hole.  But, she was Mary, Full of Grace.  And the Lord was still with her.  And she was blessed among women, for her light of faith and hope never went out.  She was still being the moon and reflecting the light of the Son in the dark night of the tomb.  Let us remain faithful with Mary, as we await the coming of our Hope, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Who was, Who is, and Who is to come.  

Have a most blessed Holy Saturday.  Our wait is almost over!  Hope on, fellow sojourners!