by Fr. Justin Fulton
Peace be with you. On behalf of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska, greetings in our Lord Jesus Christ! We hope your Lent has been a time of good reflection for each of you and your particular journeys with Jesus. May your relationship be deepened during this special time of year.
I have always been intrigued by the 4th Station of the Cross: Jesus Meets His Mother. We can all picture the scene. A tired, battered, beaten Son sees the woman who gave birth to Him. There is an encounter of love. We feel the pain in Jesus’s heart but also recognize the pain in Mary’s. Here was a mother who could only be near her Son as He was in agony and torment. She could not take away the horror. She endured it with Him.
Let me share with you a reflection on the 4th Station by Clarence Enzler, from his “Everyone’s Way of the Cross,” a Stations of the Cross that I find very, very good. You can find copies online and perhaps get one with the intent of deepening your relationship with Jesus.
Christ Speaks: My mother sees me whipped. She sees me kicked and driven like a beast. She counts my every wound. But though her soul cries out in agony, no protest or complaint escapes her lips or even enters her thoughts. She shares my martyrdom—and I share her. We hide no pain, no sorrow, from each other’s eyes. This is my Father’s will.
I Reply: My Jesus, Lord, I know what you are telling me. To watch the pain of those we love is harder than to bear our own. To carry my cross after you, I, too, must stand and watch the sufferings of my dear ones—the heartaches, sicknesses, and grief of those I love. And I must let them watch mine, too. I do believe—for those who love you all things work together unto good.
This reflection is powerful. All of us can think of loved ones who have suffered mental, physical, and spiritual torments. And at times we can despair at the thought of not being able to do anything. Yet, in the beauty of our Catholic faith, we suffer with those who suffer and rejoice with those who rejoice. United in the Mystical Body of Christ, we suffer with all of our brothers and sisters, whether we know them or not.
It is difficult to see the demise of loved ones. It is difficult to see them suffer. It is difficult to endure the suffering with them. God gives us His amazing grace to suffer with each other. And in that, we grow closer together in solidarity and love.
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska does this every day with the good work that they do, assisting the poor and vulnerable of our region.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Pray for Us.
We Adore You O Christ and We Praise You, Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World.
May God bless you always!
