Fourth Station

Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother

Consider the meeting of the Son and the mother that took place. Their looks showing the love that they have for each other.

V. We adore thee O Christ and we bless thee,
R. Because by thy Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

JESUS rises, though wounded by His fall, journeys on, with His Cross still on His shoulders. bent down; but at one place, looking up, He sees His mother. For an instant they just see each other, and He goes forward.

Mary would rather have had all His sufferings

herself,,could that have been, [rather] than not have known what they were by [staying away]. He, too, gained a refreshment, as from some soothing and grateful breath of air, to see her sad smile amid the sights and the noises which were about Him. She had known Him beautiful and glorious, with the freshness of Divine Innocence and peace upon His countenance; now, she saw Him so changed and deformed that she could scarce have recognized Him, save for the piercing, thrilling, peace-inspiring look He gave her. Still, He was now carrying the load of the world's sins, and, all-holy though He was, He carried the image of them on His very face. He looked like some outcast or outlaw who had frightful guilt upon Him. He had been made sin for us, who knew no sin; not a feature, not a limb, but spoke of guilt, of a curse, of punishment, of agony.

Oh, what a meeting of Son and Mother! Yet there was a mutual comfort, for there was a mutual sympathy. Jesus and Mary--do they forget that Passion-tide through all eternity?

Our Father, Hail Mary.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.

R. Have mercy on us .