V. Adoramus te Christe et benedicimus tibi (We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee)
R. Quia per Crucem tuam redemisti mundum (For by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.)
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem. They remained faithful to Him. Their hearts are aching, because they see the Son of God suffering on the way to the crucifixion, suffering for humanity. So we see that there were also those who did not close their hearts to the Lord.
Perhaps they did not yet understand the full extent of the events, but they have compassion for Jesus. He sees their compassion and accepts their weeping. However, He announces to them the true grief that awaits them. His death will not be final, for He will soon rise again. Then His suffering will be over.
But what will become of those who do not accept His grace? Jesus knows that many will not reciprocate. That is why He cried over Jerusalem, because they had not taken advantage of the hour of grace (Lk 19:41-44).
With His death and resurrection, this hour of grace is offered to all mankind, but many will pass by!
This is the real reason to weep and mourn: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children… for if they do this for the green wood, what will not be done for the dry?” (Lk 23:28,31).
This is why it is so important to pray that people will accept God’s grace, that infinite gift offered to all mankind through the Passion and Death of the Lord, for the glorification of God and the salvation of their souls.
Prayer: “Lord, graciously grant us salvation and peace, that your Church, having overcome all obstacles and errors, may serve you in full freedom, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit and is God for ever and ever. Amen.”
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
