The Way of The Cross: Fourth Station

Deus, in adjutorium meum intende. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.
O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Before I post the Fourth Station of the Cross where Jesus meets His Sorrowful Mother, here is a morning prayer from one of my spiritual readings.  It speaks to us as we fight against the persecution of Christians around the world, and which is increasing bit by bit in our own country.

(Habakkuk 1: 2-5) How long, O Lord, shall I cry, and Thou wilt not hear? Shall I cry out to Thee suffering violence, and Thou wilt not save? Why has Thou shewn me iniquity and grievance, to see rapine and injustice before me? And there is a judgment, but opposition is more powerful. Therefore the law is torn in pieces, and judgment cometh not to the end: because the wicked prevaileth against the just, therefore wrong judgment goeth forth. Behold ye among the nations, and see: wonder, and be astonished: for a work is done in your days, which no man will believe when it shall be told.

And from today's Introductory prayer in the Mass: (Psalm 37: 22-23,2)  Forsake me not, O Lord; my God, be not far from me. Hasten to help me, O Lord, my salvation. O Lord, in Your anger punish me not, in Your wrath chastise me not.

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    Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee,
Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider the meeting of the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journey. Jesus and Mary looked at each other, and their looks became as so many arrows to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly.

My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow Thou didst experience in this meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for Thy most holy Mother. And thou, my Queen, who wast overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me by thy intercession a continual and tender remembrance of the Passion of thy Son. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.

                                    Our Father.....Hail Mary.....Glory Be.....

Lord Jesus, crucified,
Have mercy on us!

                                       Christ above in torment hangs,
                                       She beneath beholds the pangs
                                       Of her dying, glorious Son.

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And so the prophecy of Simeon is fulfilled as the sword of sorrow pierces deeper and deeper into the heart of Mary.