12th Scriptural Station of the Cross

Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple (John 19: 25-27)

Prepare your setting. Take a few deep breaths and exhale slowly. Set your timer.

Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Then: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Invite Jesus to visit with you. Tell Him of any concerns that are on your mind.

“Read” the image. Look from top to bottom, left and right. Look over it a second or third time. What strikes you? What is happening? What objects and symbols do you notice? Ponder the messages. I’ll share my thoughts [in brackets], but your thoughts are what matter.

[This feels like a calm painting, at least calmer than the last few Stations. Saint John wears the red fervor of love. He is called the “One Jesus loved”. Mary’s gown is pink, the color of anticipation, of something about to happen. The moment of Jesus’ death, and our redemption, is seconds away. Jesus is speaking and looking at heaven in reference to His last spoken words: It is finished. That’s in John’s Gospel. Luke’s says about the same: Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit. Matthew and Mark record: Oh, God. Why have you abandoned Me? Jesus spoke seven last words (sentences) on the cross. I guess we each remember the one that hits us the hardest as the last one. I imagine people who are struggling with faith think of the abandoned one because it all seems so illogical and mean.

The focus seems equally divided among Jesus, Mary and Saint John. Both Mary and John are listening to Jesus. He says, “Behold thy mother… Behold thy son.” For Catholics, this is especially significant because as Mary was given to Saint John, she was given to all of us. That’s why we honor her as our spiritual mother and believe she wants to intervene on our behalf because we are her spiritual children.

The sign INRI is clearly visible. It was Pilate’s idea to post a note on Jesus’ cross saying “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, three main languages of the time. Tell the world. Yes, tell the world! The Jewish authorities wanted it changed to “Jesus of Nazareth, who claimed to be the king of the Jews”. Pilate said, “What I have written, I have written.” He wrote the truth not knowing it. I love when that happens in life, when the truth is revealed and people are vindicated.

This scene always reminds me of comforting children when a grandparent, parent or sibling dies. We reassure them that even though this very beloved person is gone, there will always be someone to love and care for them. Of course they want the person who died, not a substitute–so do I–but maybe the point God is making is that “You can’t understand how heaven and earth are so closely connected. I want to comfort you by giving you another human being who will love you and care for you while I am not present to you in the way you are accustomed.”

I’m so glad this ordeal is overwith for Jesus. Maybe we won’t feel it as strongly since we’re taking all of Lent to reach all the Stations, but I feel exhausted. Maybe taking the Stations more slowly gave us time for more reflection–and time to listen for Jesus talking to us. I am grateful for Mary and for Saint John the Apostle. ]

Meditate. Talk to God about the image, how you feel and why. Wrestle with Him about your questions until you have nothing else to say.

Pray. Lord Jesus, grant grant me constancy that I may be willing to stand by those in need. [And Jesus, I am so thankful for the apostles, martyrs, saints and all the disciples who kept this truth and passed it down over the years. I’m Catholic–I will always be Catholic because I love my Catholic faith–but I am so grateful for all the Protestants who love and defend Your teachings too.

Contemplate. Relax. Enjoy God’s presence. Listen.

Write something to keep in your heart until your next prayer session.

Thank Jesus for visiting with you. End with the Sign of the Cross. Amen.

Thank you for joining us for this meditation. I look forward to praying with you again tomorrow at the 13th Station.

NOTE: There are 14 Stations of the Cross (whether Traditional or Scriptural). the 13th will appear tomorrow, a Wednesday, a day we usually don’t blog on. The 14th station will appear on Holy Thursday, the last blog before Easter, so you are open for Good Friday services at your parish or church. I have been praying for you and I ask that God will bless you in specific, special way this week. I know I am very grateful you are here. VR