Jesus, they take you down from the cross and entrust you to your mother
Mary cannot bear this laborious descent from the cross, her pain makes her faint. The crowd that assisted at the death of Jesus has disappeared. The few faithful to the Master have remained and are intent on accomplishing the compassionate act of recovering the lifeless body of Jesus. The death of “The Rabbi” caused a great delusion for those who did not have deep faith. Only the Mother and a few close ones remained under the cross. Even the apostles have nearly all gone. Meanwhile, for the hard of heart, the nightmare of that Man is finished. With His doctrine, He disrupted their existence and tormented their hearts. Jesus is lowered carefully; finally His tormented body had no longer to undergo other injuries. The disciples support the Mother of Sorrows.
Reflections and Prayer
From the Bible: Since it was the Preparation Day the Jews did not want to have the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, for that sabbath was a solemn feast day. They asked Pilate that the legs be broken and the bodies be taken away. Accordingly, the soldiers came and broke the legs of the men crucified with Jesus, first of the one, then of the other. When they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. One of the soldiers thrust a lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.
(Jn 19: 31-34)
We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
My Jesus, you concluded your earthly life. Under the cross your faithful Mother continued to suffer. Suffering had overcome her capacity for resistance. She could bear it no longer when she received your body on her knees, that body which she gave birth to in Bethlehem and looked after so well for so many years.
Message: Dear Children! I have already told you that I have chosen you in a special way, just as you are. I am the Mother that loves you all. In every instant, when you have difficulties, do not be afraid because I love you even when you are far away from me and my Son. I pray to you.do not let my heart weep with tears of blood for the souls who are lost in sin. Therefore, dear children, pray, pray, pray. Thank you for having responded to my call!
We thank you, O Mary, and we bless you.
Because by your sufferings you helped to redeem the world.
O Mary, Mother of Sorrows, your breast was not icy with vendetta and hate but was warm and welcoming. It became that way from the pain which you suffered. You could warmly welcome the cold body of your martyr Son as you welcomed Him that day in Bethlehem. Now you offer Him to the Father for our salvation, like the time you presented Him at the temple, where you offered Him to the Father as your first born. You experienced the realization of the prophetic words of Simeon with infinite pain. He prophesized to you that a sword would pierce your motherly heart.
Thank you, O Mary, because you did not let yourself be frightened by the suffering and you did not run away. Thank you for your faith. I want to express to you, with my life and with my love, that I would like to console you and give you joy. So now, I consecrate myself to you and I put myself at your service, O Mary.
Gather all the Church under your protection, particularly in these difficult times. Welcome, O Mary, all men and allow them to be attracted by your love. Your maternal heart warms every heart that is frozen and struggling in sin. O Mary, may all those who sit on your motherly lap become brothers and sisters. By your intercession may peace flow and flood all the earth like a large river. O Mary, be the mother of abandoned children and of all those who are rejected by their dear ones. Stop similar situations from occurring. O Mary, may it be that from your motherly breast are bom holy families, where peace and love will reign. Amen!
Have mercy on us, O Lord! Have mercy on us!
O Mary, Mother of Sorrows, Intercede for us.
Christ, when You shall call me hence,
Be Your Mother my defense, Be Your Cross my victory.
Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew, Of my Saviour crucified.