Jesus Meets his Mother

Stations of the Cross #4

^{Luke 2:34} Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed ³⁵ so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”

The Gospels don’t tell us that Jesus met his mother on the way to the cross, but they are clear that she was under the cross during his crucifixion. And of course she was with him on the way as well. Would you let your son take that journey alone if you could possibly be at his side?

At the cross, Jesus brings new creation to birth - giving new life to us all. His mother is there, but he is the one in labour.

So let’s pray:

Lord, you meet your mother
When you are bruised and bleeding,
Exhausted and betrayed.
We always meet our mothers in that place-
If only in our memories and dreams.
Life comes through the suffering of mothers;
Who suffered before us, 
And for us, when they bore us.
In your man’s body, there,
You pay the debt 
By labouring and bleeding, 
Naked and humiliated,
To give birth to your mother. Amen.

With love from Rev Margaret

Image photographed and artistically rendered by Lindsay Gardiner