Eighth Station – Jesus speaks to the Women

Luke 23:27-31

Why wasn’t I more understanding with these weeping women, who, after all, seemed to be showing me sympathy?  Instead of graciously accepting their show of concern, I turned on them with the seemingly harsh words: “Don’t weep for me, weep for yourselves and your children.” …

I was not condemning these women for their public display, but I spoke harshly to them because I wanted them to be more aware of what they were doing.  I was harsh because these women were part of a great multitude of curiosity seekers who had turned out to watch an execution.  Remember that these women were engaged in a kind of formal religious practice of mourning and lamenting for the dead or condemned.  They were weeping for the sake of weeping.  They were weeping out of a rote religious duty without knowing me.

I do not desire religious practice for its own sake.  Indeed, when religious practices are carried out mindlessly, they aren’t helpful.  I detest religious routines when they become a way to avoid your deep personal commitment to me and my Father.

Sometimes, silence and solitude is the best religious practice.  Sometimes, it is better to be silent, to pour out your heart where no one can hear, than to shout prayers in public.  When you know for whom you weep, then come to Calvary’s road.