Exodus Hymn Reflection: Stabat Mater Dolorosa

https://youtu.be/PDdOuy8-JBo?feature=shared

This is the hymn reflection for day 63.

Have you ever been to the stations of the cross?

Have you ever wept tears of sorrow?

Were you able to accompany our Lord from the first step to his last as He was mocked and jeered by the mob?

Were you able to see the blood soaking his face, pouring from where the thorns were piercing His head, temples, and occiput?

Were you able to see Him being brought in front of the crowd of the people He loved who all beckoned for his death, even though he had come to free him?

Were you capable of watching as the cat-o'-nine-tails carved its marks in His innocent back as He endured the punishment that belonged to another?

Would you be able to look Christ in the face knowing that all the suffering He went through was for us and our ineptitude?

Would you be able to watch Christ be sentenced and pick up the wood of His execution, knowing the inevitable conclusion?

Would you watch and keep Him company in a crowd of hostile aggressors as he falls time and time again, falling and struggling to lift the wood?

Would you be able to make eye contact with Christ from within the crowd without looking away?

Would you be able to watch as the top of Golgotha is reached and his agony reaches its climax?

Would you be able to tolerate the metallic ringing of the nails that were pounded into His innocent hands, knowing that He had done nothing to deserve this and He was taking the punishment on behalf of us?

Would you be able to keep Our Lord company as He is raised on the cross and mocked?

Would you be able to endure the Lord saying "I thirst" and not being able to console him?

Would you be able to forgive those He asks us to as they don't know what they are doing?

Would you be able to take the Lord saying "It is done”?

Would you be able to watch Longinus plunge his spear into the Most Holy side and see the water and the blood pouring?

Personally, I would say that this is too much to bear. It's overwhelming.

Well, Our Lady was there, and she did bear it. She watched her only Son and God be devoured by the hatred of the crowd. She watched the Truth be smothered, the Way be spat upon, and the Life be extinguished.

To be a Christian is to be a witness to Christ; and who meets these Criteria more so than the most Holy Mother of Our Lord?

Mother, help us to be witnesses this lent; help us overcome the shame and sorrow and be able to find joy in our salvation.

Mother Most Pure, Mother of Sorrows, pray for us.

1. At the cross her station keeping,

Stood the mournful Mother weeping,

Close to Jesus to the last.

2. Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,

All his bitter anguish bearing,

Now at length the sword has passed.

3. O how sad and sore distressed,

Was that Mother highly blest

Of the sole begotten One!

4. Christ above in torment hangs,

She beneath beholds the pangs

Of her dying, glorious Son.

5. Is there one who would not weep,

Whelmed in miseries so deep,

Christ's dear Mother to behold?

6. Can the human heart refrain

From partaking in her pain,

In that Mother's pain untold?

7. Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,

She beheld her tender Child,

All with bloody scourges rent.

8. For the sins of his own nation

Saw him hang in desolation

Till his spirit forth he sent.

9. O thou Mother! Font of love,

Touch my spirit from above,

Make my heart with thine accord.

10. Make me feel as thou hast felt;

Make my soul to glow and melt

With the love of Christ, my Lord.

11. Holy Mother, pierce me through,

In my heart each wound renew

Of my Savior crucified.

12. Let me share with thee his pain,

Who for all my sins was slain,

Who for me in torment died.

13. Let me mingle tears with thee,

Mourning him who mourned for me,

All the days that I may live.

14. By the cross with thee to stay;

There with thee to weep and pray,

All I ask of thee to give.

15. Virgin of all Virgins best!

Listen to my fond request:

Let me share thy grief divine.