V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. (You may bow your head or genuflect)
R. Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

Read and Listen: (Jn 19:25-27, 28, 30, 38)

Near the cross of Jesus there stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. Seeing his mother there with the disciple whom he loved, Jesus said to his mother, "Woman, there is your son." In turn he said to the disciple, "There is your mother." From that hour onward, the disciple took her into her care. After that, Jesus realizing that everything was now finished, said to fulfill the Scripture, "I am thirsty."...When Jesus took the wine, he said, "Now it is finished." Then he bowed his head and delivered over his spirit....Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate's permission to remove Jesus' body. Pilate granted it, so they came and took the body away

Reflect

It was indeed an act of courage for Mary to see her Son suffer so much and to follow him through till death. It was equally magnanimous for Jesus to think of others, especially of his Mother, and entrust her to the beloved disciple. Yet the scope of his thoughtfulness comprised us, his disciples. He entrusted us to her to be our Mother too. What a great gift we have been endowed with! At this stage, there is nothing else that could be done. Jesus was lifeless. But care for him and his body remained, as it was prepared for burial. To bury the dead is an act of mercy. There might not have been an expectation of Jesus coming back to life when he was buried. Yet the love for Christ continued even beyond the Cross. Even his secret supporters, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, no longer feared being reprised for their faith in Him. They knew and witnessed that He was more than the healer of Nazareth.

Pray

Dear Jesus, it was the most touching scene to see your sorrowful mother holding your lifeless body at our death. Most mothers could not endure the pain of separation from their own flesh and blood through death. Mary was grieving, but as she tried to understand her role before God, she managed to carry on. For me to know that I have a Mother so loving and close to you is already a great reason for encouragement to live my life with determination and courage. As Mary your Mother stayed with you till the end, I call on her to stand beside me always, especially in the most trying moments of my life. I know that she indeed stands by me. I pray for families who lost their members in a tragic way. I pray for those who are orphaned and widowed, for those who lost zest for life, for those who died far from their loved ones, and for those who are not remembered at all, even in kind thoughts and prayers. May those who die this day enjoy Paradise with you and attain that eternal rest and peace in you. I entrust them all to you and our Mother Mary. I ask this of you, my Lord and Savior. Amen. Amen. (You may say the Our Father and Hail Mary before you go to the next station.)