Ave Maria Meditations
Station XIII: Jesus is taken down from the cross
The sword once again pierced Mary’s heart as they laid Her dead Son into her arms of love. What better place for Jesus to rest. What better place for us to rest, but in the arms of our Blessed Mother.
O sweet and loving Mother of God, may the loving arms that held your dead Son, hold me tight when I am afraid, overwhelmed, sad…or when I feel too alone or weak to carry on …especially when I am dead to the truth about my own weakness which calls upon the Mercy of God. Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was every left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto they, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother. To thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petition but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen
Station XIV: Jesus is laid in the Sepulcher
Mary cries out as they tear Jesus from her arms to place Him in the Sepulcher without even a proper anointing. As they laid Jesus’ to rest, one can only imagine her grief, along with a great hunger and thirst to be with her Son when He will come again, like the bud on the willow branch that promises salvation and joy.
O Jesus, may we too hunger and thirst for You in every Eucharist…in every prayer, thought, word and action we engage in. We have nothing without You, but faith, hope and love in Your Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, which sustains us through the end of time. “for You have been my help and in the shadow of Your wings, I shout for joy. My soul clings fast to You, Your right hand upholds me (Psalm 63)”. May each of God’s children, like Mary, the New Eve of our world, say, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…for He Who is mighty has done great things for me and holy in His name.” (Luke 1:46-49), for by His Crib, Cross and Resurrection, mankind is saved.
After each Station, pray “Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee”.
by Mary Fischer
