Scripture: Luke 23:27-31
27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then “‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ 31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Reflection:
Jesus, while carrying the cross, takes time to console and compassionately reach out to these women who are mourning the loss of Him. This Man of Sorrows, Who is suffering immense pain and shame and loss, reaches out to these women, warning them and weeping with them. Even in His own suffering, He is still God with us.
Activity:
As we have had to adjust our lives to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us have had to suffer through more isolation and loneliness than we are accustomed to. Walk outside and look across at the home of a neighbor; it is ok if you can’t actually see their home from yours. Now say a prayer for them as they are suffering through this difficult time of quarantine as you take a moment to put aside your own suffering to reach out to them.
Prayer: Lord, in the middle of my own suffering help me be more like you in the middle of your suffering. Remind me to pray for those who are hurting whenever I really can’t take other action. Amen.
