Station VIII: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Inspired by a drawing by Kathe Kollwitz.
The women embody the fear and marginalization which results from irrational violence, oppression, injustice and persecution. Christ offers both comfort and hope, but not without struggle.
The women weep for Christ, but Christ calls them to weep for themselves and their children. They and their descendants will be the Church, and in the Church, Christ continues His saving work.
Although in the Way of the Cross we focus on the suffering of Jesus, we must not forget that we encounter His suffering today in the lowliest of humanity.
Sentimentality is deceptive and is insufficient for the work to which Christ calls us. Through empathy and compassion we reach out to those in who we see Christ on the way of sorrow today.
