Station #14 – Jesus is laid in the tomb

Jesus is laid in the tomb
Jesus is laid in the tomb

They take the body of Jesus to its resting place.  The huge stone over the tomb is the final sign of the permanence of death.  In this final act of surrender, who would have imagined this tomb would soon be empty or that Jesus would show himself alive to his disciples, or that they would recognize him in the breaking of bread?  Oh, that our hearts might burn within us, as we realize how he had to suffer and die so as to enter into his glory, for us.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

I pause to contemplate this act of closure on his life.  In solidarity with all humanity, his body is taken to its grave.  I stand for a moment outside this tomb.  This final journey of his life has shown me the meaning of his gift of himself for me.  This tomb represents every tomb I stand before with fear, in defeat, struggling to believe it could ever be empty.

Prayer

Almighty and Everlasting Heavenly Father, you did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for all of us that we may find forgiveness in him.  O Jesus, you have set me apart from the world.  You have created me for the Kingdom of Heaven; what, then, have I to do with the kingdoms of this world? Help me to follow the Way of the Cross traced out for me by you, Jesus, my Redeemer, and journey onward to my heavenly home, there to dwell forever and ever.  Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.
________________________________________

<<Station #13——————————- Stations Home>>