Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem

Stations of the Cross By A.Vonn Hartung

Coming upon the wailing women of Jerusalem He takes pity on them. But instead of consoling them in the standard sentimental way, He speaks to them and to us as a prophet. In this terrible moment Jesus is not thinking only of Himself, of His suffering, of His drama. He is concerned with the drama of humanity, of all human beings. He prophetically sees another human drama opening in front of His eyes. And these wailing women must change their lives. How many times had He repeated this while preaching in the land of Galilee or Judea? How many times had He shouted over wind and tempest, over desert and plains: “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mk 1:15) He was again telling them, and through them those who were following Him with a smile on their faces: “the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit” (Mt 21:43) because “the sound of wailing is heard from Zion: “How ruined we are! How great is our shame! We must leave our land because our houses are in ruins” (Jer 9:19)”. NOTE—These original Stations of the Cross were painted for a Catholic church in Puerto Rico. The artist conceived them with the community in mind and they include many of the spiritual and cultural qualities of Puerto Rico. (Photo by Greger Norrevik)