Stations of the Cross - Ninth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination of conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
Lord, we weep for You, but You tell us to weep for ourselves. I mourn my sins and those of the world, and promise to not hurt You by my sin again.

Ninth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.' At that time, people will say to the mountains, 'Fall upon us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?" - Luke 23: 27-31

Reflection
Christ suffering was purposeful. The women wept for his impending death, yet He warns us that it is our spiritual death we should mourn over.

Prayer
Lord, grant us gentle spirits that we may comfort those who mourn.