Thirteenth Station: The body of Jesus is taken down form the cross

We are familiar with the many examples of the Pieta, the image of the dead body of Jesus laid in his mother’s arms. Artists over the centuries have depicted it in many ways. There is a sadness in this image and yet there is relief that the suffering is over. The body of Jesus that had been racked with pain is tenderly held in the arms of his mother and her companions. This is such a contrast from the rough handling from his captors and torturers. This idea of relief brings to mind the watering of land after a drought.

Lord, the sadness of Mary is lived again in the sorrow of mothers throughout the world. Give me the grace to continue to offer relief to those whose lives are blighted by the effects of climate change. Help me to change my lifestyle so that mothers may no longer be faced with this tragedy of loss and suffering