And there followed him a great multitude of people and of women, who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them, said: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves and for your children.
During the 4th sorrowful mystery of the Rosary (the via crucis – the carrying of the cross) I meditate on the stations of the cross. Each station applies universally to all of us. This morning, the 8th station struck me. The women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus, like they would weep over any condemned man on his way to execution: in a conventional manner, out of sentiment, doing what’s expected of them, like this was any ordinary man and any ordinary execution; when it’s over, they all go home, feeling better for the emotional outburst, but still the same internally; no spiritual change or awakening.
Jesus challenges them to consider their situation. At their particular judgment they’ll have to answer for every idle word… just like all of us. They should be self aware and conscious of themselves and their orientation toward Our Lord. Do they grow closer to God every day?
This morning I realized this same dynamic applies to me as I was praying the Rosary. As I consider our Lord’s sacred heart, his suffering, his falls, and his encounter with the women, I also feel a conventional emotion of sorrow. I also feel sentimental sorrow and a wave of emotion.
Jesus has the same response to me as he did to the women of Jerusalem. It’s good that I feel sorrow for his passion; this sorrow must also have an effect; it must soften my heart, make me love Him more, and make me holier. It should make me closer to Him and change my life.
