Journeying Back With Mary (Day 1 - 14th. Station)

14th STATION – THE BURIAL

It is all over. It is evening and the sun that had dawned 33 years ago and which had shone bright for 3 short years has just set. The horizon is still crimson, shadows are no more, and the lone woman feels the darkness creep into her as she stands gazing at the stone that has just rolled into place to cover the entrance to the cave. Her heart is full of grief. She wonders if it all was just a bad dream. An awful nightmare. Had she been in a trance? No. This is real rock. These are real people; they can feel it. She can see them. She would like to linger on at the cave; to be there alone – with her son, who lay dead. But, it is getting dark, the sky is turning grey. She has to go home. But where is home? The only home where her heart will rest has been demolished. Its ruins are buried there in the cave. She turns slowly and takes a step. It is a strain. She has little energy left. She moves slowly forward.

Reflection:

Was it I who rolled the stone, Mother, and shut the entrance? Not of the cave, but of my heart? Sealed! So that your Son cannot come within. Help me, Mother, to roll away the stone from my heart so that the sunshine of your Son may dispel the darkness and bring new life.

Prayer:

Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.