Lourdes Lower Station 14

Standing here meditating on Lourdes lower station 14; it is apparent the finality of this moment. Jesus lifeless body once full of joy, compassion and love is now still. In shock the grief is creeping in slowly and we try to understand. We are reminded that even in our darkest moments, God's promise of new life and redemption is ever-present. Here we are called to trust. Jesus, I Trust in You... I am not left alone, no in fact I have received the greatest blessing ever, Jesus with me.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy Cross,
thou hast redeemed the world.

When I realize that I am capable of the same horrors and mistakes
as the most wretched people, I understand that I too can be unfaithful.

This is a blessing from God's love, prompting me to cling to Him, strive each day to stay close.

My buried Jesus, I kiss the stone that encloses Thee. But Thou didst rise again on the third day.
I beseech Thee by Thy resurrection, Jesus, let me rise glorious with Thee on the last day.
The Way of the Cross of Saint Alphonsus Liquori

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

v. Have Mercy upon us O Lord.
r. Have Mercy on us.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Each of us may have a different perception of death. Maybe you have thought about it from time to time or maybe you don't want to even talk about or consider it. Will deal with death when it's at our door.

Well faith can shape our perception of death by offering comfort, meaning and hope. It provides the assurance of transforming death from a source of fear into a passage to eternal life with God.

Faith imbues life and death with purpose, making it a part of a divine plan. It can encourage acceptance of death as a natural part of life and reduces fear because there is a higher influence God.

Ask yourself, how do you feel your faith influences your perspective on death?

The silence continues to follow me as I move from Lourdes lower station 14. My soul is very quiet a subtle darkness surrounds me. I know this is a time of grieving for me, I have been here before with loved ones that have passed. My experience during this time is silence and waiting and watching my soul weep.

In our darkest moments, finding hope often begins with the smallest of steps. It can be as simple as reaching out to a friend or loved one, allowing their support to remind us that we are not alone.

Yes, I look at these scenes in present times and try to imagine if I were actually there how would I have felt. For us to just imagine we can create a feeling or emotion. But also, the mystery in the acting of walking and praying the stations transforms us.

Let's look who is around us as we place ourselves in that time. 

Mary his mother is there. I glance over to see Mary very quiet and humbled gazing at her son's lifeless body being placed in the tomb, her heart heavy with sorrow. Despite her overwhelming grief, she holds onto a glimmer of hope, trusting in God's plan. 

John his beloved disciple is there helping placing Jesus's body into the tomb. I can see the love and gentleness as he handles his beloved teacher. As he steps out of the tomb and moves toward Mary, they watch together has the stone is rolled over the entrance way.

Roman Soldier who possibly felt this execution is different than any other one he had witnessed. But today he is torn because of duty. He looks up as the darkness fell over the land and the earthquake that took his footing away, left him unsettled. He quietly asks himself could this man have been truly innocent.

Joseph of Arimathea who kept his belief and involvement secret, is not giving his tomb up for Jesus. This is a deeply respectful thing to do and hoping this is a small act of kindness will be remembered. I am the bystander watching and taking note of all these people who are touched differently. 

How about the Bystander who shouted with the rest, Crucify Him! What are they thinking about? Is there heart that was once healed by Jesus now hard hearted? 

I don't know about you, but I am overwhelmed with grief and guilt of the stupid things I have done. The time I waste everyday not thinking or worshiping my Lord. What does he ask of us?

All Stations of the Cross
Pray the Rosary