Pope Francis: The Lord’s Passion And Via Crucis EIGHT STATION AND YET THE PHARISEES SHOWED THEIR DISPLEASURE AT MY MERCIFUL SYNOD ON THE FAMILY


EIGHTH STATION
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world”[37]

Adoramus…

From the Gospel according to Luke

“A great number of people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children’”.[38]

JESUS’ THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS

Just a few days ago, I entered Jerusalem. A small crowd of disciples was there to welcome me. They even greeted me with the words: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”.[39] For all its simplicity, that moment was also most solemn. And yet the Pharisees showed their displeasure. The joy did not stop me from weeping at the sight of the city.[40] Now as I make my weary way towards Golgotha, I hear the cries of women weeping for me as they beat their breasts.

OUR RESONANCE

Perhaps today too, Jesus, looking at our cities, would have cause to weep. We too can be blind, failing to see the path to peace which you point out to us.[41]

But now we realize the summons contained in your words in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”. And in your words to the disciples: “You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world … Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.[42]

LET US PRAY

In the light of the heavenly Jerusalem

Lord God, you have called us to the heavenly Jerusalem, God’s dwelling-place among men. There, you have promised, every tear will be wiped from our eyes. Death, mourning, weeping and pain will be no more. You will be our God and we will be your people.[43] Protect our hope that, after the toil of our sowing in tears, we will come at last to the joy of the harvest.[44]

All: Pater noster… Stabat Mater

[37] Mt 5:13-14.
[38] Lk 23:27-28.
[39] Lk 19:38.
[40] Cf. Lk 19:41.
[41] Ibid.
[42] Mt 5:8-9, 13,14,16.
[43] Cf. Rev 21:4; Is 25:6-9.
[44] Cf. Ps 126:5.

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