The National Catholic Broadcasting Council presents Let Us Reflect Together 40 Days of Lent Retreat From the Cross to Hope. Day 38, The Way of the Cross, Stations 12, 13, 14, Silence, Sorrow, and Hope with the Late Father Pat Fitzpatrick.
SPEAKER_03The 12th Station. When Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said, I am thirsty. So they put a sponge of sour wine on a branch and held it to his mouth. When he had received the wine, he said, It is finished. Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
SPEAKER_02Sentenced Friday morning, executed Friday afternoon. Only Mary, along with the disciple he loved and some brave women, kept him company. Ridicule and searing pain. A victim of the system forgave his executioners. The innocent are still put to death with bullets, bombs, and bulldozers under the name of collateral damage. He drank the cup to the bitter end because he loved us to the end. Can you and I drink our cup? This is the cup the Father has given me. Shall I not drink it?
SPEAKER_01Let the cross be my salvation. Jesus as my consolation in that hour when I must die.
SPEAKER_03The thirteenth station. Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus, came and removed his body. He and Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus by night, wrapped the body in linen cloths.
SPEAKER_02After thirty years, Mary had him in her arms again. All she could offer now was her presence and her lap and her embrace. She held him once at Christmas. She held him now at crucifixion. Silent, faithful Mother Mary. Awake, a funeral home moment, keeping vigil near a casket. Thoughts of times gone by, of how it used to be, letting loved ones go to God. This is the cup the Father has given me. Shall I not drink it?
SPEAKER_01Queen of heather of your son, let me inherit joy with us and the fourteenth station.
SPEAKER_03Jesus is buried in the tomb of a friend. There was a garden in the place where he was crucified. And in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there.
SPEAKER_02Born in another's barn, buried in another's tomb. An unexpected offer of a tomb from Joseph of Arimathea. A tomb hewn out of rock. A stone rolled in place, a hurried burial before Sabbath. That Friday afternoon, the women took note of the tomb and how his body had been laid. They would return before dawn on Sunday. They buried him quickly, but not for long. He would burst the bonds of burial. By Sunday, the firstborn from the dead would leave behind an empty tomb. Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He is risen. This is the cup the Father has given me. Shall I not drink it? Mary, you were there as always, there when he was taking shape within your womb. When you gave birth to him in distant Bethlehem, when he asserted teenage independence in the temple, through all the years at Nazareth, when he had gone from home and Joseph was no longer there. There along the final journey, standing there at the foot of the cross. There now as you cradle him once more. Mary, survivor of Calvary, give us strength. Be there for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
SPEAKER_00Join us tomorrow for day 39, Good Friday. The Passion According to John with Father Peter Choi. For more information, please email us at info at ncbc.ca, visit our website at daily tvmass.com, or call our office toll-free at one eight eight eight-three eight three six two seven seven seven seven seven seven seven.