BEHOLD THE FACE

I envision the sorrowful face of my beautiful Mother. I can see the face, so sorrowful-words cannot express the sorrow. This is the face Jesus saw on the way to Calvary. How could anyone describe the face Christ saw as Mary walked this nightmare path!

I feel I am suffering, and I want relief. Behold the face of Mary on the way to Calvary. Behold the face of Christ as Mary looked at Him. Endurance! His face was covered with blood and wounds and His head crowned with thorns. This was the face of Mary - this was the face of Jesus. Behold the face. His way is the way of the cross. In all the suffering, Jesus and Mary were comforted as They peered into each others eyes. Let us be wrapped in the love of these two Hearts. Pure love unites with pure love and we are caught in this embrace. This love is found in dwelling in Their Hearts. We are comforted by Their love despite great suffering.

I think, oh Lord, it is so hard this day, so hard - how much must I endure? Then I looked at the third station in Holy Cross-Immaculata Catholic Church and saw Him spread out on the ground, His chin pasted to the ground, His eyes looking out to the world. He was persecuted, rejected, scorned. He was put to death!

See the holy face of Jesus. Behold the face of Mary on the way to Calvary. Mary's cry - the same cry for the little, lost children of this world.

Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world, Who carries our burdens. How do I carry mine? His way is the cross. I see more and more the purpose of praying the Stations. It is through these Stations, the Sorrowful mysteries and the Seven Sorrows, that I find strength to carry the little crosses.

I am so blind. I do not even know the great gifts I am given. I am given the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Jesus gives Himself to me in the Holy Eucharist. Father, Son and Holy Spirit dwell within me. I have a sharing in His divine life. He gives me a car and a license. He gives me my home, gas, and food. I am so ungrateful thinking how hard it is! There are so many gifts given to me that I do not even consider.

Behold the Lamb of God and the face of Mary. Behold Jesus Who carries our burdens. To unite to Him is to follow His bloody footprints. I am so weak - such little crosses I endure and I complain profusely.

Lamb of God! Help me to be like You more and more and to unite with You in deepest union!

He looked from the cross and saw His beloved Mother. What of the Heart of Jesus on the cross to see Mary and John at the foot of His cross? He carries our burdens, and we complain. What about the gift of life we are given daily? Who are we that the Almighty God unites to us?

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Copyright © 1997 Shepherds of Christ Ministries
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publisher. For information contact Shepherds of Christ Publications
First Printing: September, 1997