Warmed by the Fire*: Reflecting on "The Imitation of Christ"

The Eighth Station

Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Reflection:
There was following Jesus a great crowd of people, and among them were some women who were be-
wailing and lamenting Him. Jesus turning to them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me,
but weep for yourselves and for your children (Luke 23:27-28)."
Meditation:
Come, all you who pass by the way,
Look and see whether there is any suffering like My suffering,
Suffering with which the Lord has afflicted Me on the day of his blazing wrath.
At this I weep, My eyes run with tears:
Far from Me are all who could console Me,
Far away are any who might revive Me (Lam. 1:12-16).

Pray:
Beloved Jesus, with tears of pity these women of Jerusalem responded to You, broken, bruised, and beaten, on the road to Calvary. Deepen our faith, we beg Vow. so that we may see You in our brothers and sisters, bruised by our envy, beaten down by injustice, and broken by our greed and our indifference. Amen.

Sing (in preparation for the Ninth Station):
Jesus fell again in weakness,
Stumbling as we do, to lead us,
Through our sorrow and our pain.