……Stations of the Cross ……

by
Fr. John Keep

14th. Station: Jesus’ Body is Laid in the Tomb

Verse:  We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Response:  Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

At last Joseph of Arimathea takes the Body of Jesus, and He is buried in the tomb.  Those ugly wounds have been anointed with sweet spices in anticipation of the beauty that will be theirs in three days time.  We must be buried with Christ, dead to the world.  We must anoint the wounds of sin with the sweet spice of penance and have contrite hearts.  And just as the wounds of Jesus are glorious now in heaven, so I believe the wounds of our forgiven sins will be a source of glory when we rise again.
   
 Perhaps you have heard that pious legend according to which anyone who makes the Way of the Cross devoutly will have granted any prayer he makes at the fourteenth Station.  Perhaps anyone who makes this lovely, devout exercise well will not want to ask for anything at the fourteenth Station except the will of God, and that is always granted if you pray for it.  After following the Way of the Cross, perhaps all that we want is something to give to Jesus.  And we know just what He likes:  “If anyone wants to be a disciple of mine, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

(after a brief pause)

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

 

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