Lent

It is not in Scripture, but I often wonder if our Lord spoke privately with Mary at some point, explaining to her all that would happen and giving her the promise of the Resurrection.

Regardless, the stone itself still tells the tale of great torment and great love. The Body that was anointed there had been given up for you and for me.

Mary accompanied her Son through his entire Passion, every horrifying step, every excruciating blow. And then she stood beneath his Cross as his Precious Blood drained from his holy Body and soaked the earth. She watched him take his final breath and surrender himself into the hands of his Father.

But, when Jesus told the disciples that he would be crucified, in essence he was telling them, “I just love you to death!” He meant that literally.

So, when I think if the Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross, I think of our Lord’s hands.

During his lifetime, Jesus used his hands to build along side of St. Joseph and work along side of his Blessed Mother. He blessed, prayed, and healed with his hands. His hands waved hello to friends, and multiplied loaves and fishes to feed the multitudes.

We participate in that disrobing every time we treat our own bodies with less that the respect they deserve. Whether poor health habits, immodest dress or behavior, lustful behavior, or egotistic adornment, when we do not honor our own bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, we dishonor the Body of the One who gave all for our salvation.

He endured the disrobing of his Body so that we would stop disrobing ours.

While he was yet with them, Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. (Mt 16:24)

He wasn’t only referring to carrying it, he also was referring to falling with it.