The Twelfth Station: Jesus Speaks to Mary and the Disciple

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (John 19: 25b-27)

Reflection

Jesus looks down from the cross to see his distraught mother. With some of his last breaths, he instructs the disciple to care for and house her. Jesus instructs us to do the same: to care for, to house, and to tend to those in need.

What can we do as followers of Christ? There are many ways to care for, house, and tend to those in need. This could, but does not always mean offering money, your home, or a meal. The simplest way of caring is just noticing our fellow human beings and offering our acknowledgement and compassion. Human dignity is a gift within itself. By acknowledging someone and seeing them where they are for who they are, we can start to truly offer compassion. That is when we see a person’s real need, and that is how we begin to make transformation.

Let us pray.

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.

The Thirteenth Station >>

<< The Eleventh Station