And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”
Luke 23:27-28 (ESV)
Your face, Lord, do I seek. Hide not your face from me.
Psalm 27:8-9
…but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 19:25 (ESV)
STATION 5 VIDEO | God the Mother
REFLECTION
“God our Mother” may be an idea that you need to make time for; in fact, you might just stop here and meditate the whole time on it! Along the way, Jesus encounters several women. They showed compassion. They loved who God loved. Compassion, then, becomes a character that encounters Jesus along his Way.
Moltmann quotes the Apostle Paul saying, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
RESPONSE
How does “God the Mother”, or the “Motherhood of the Holy Spirit” make you feel? How has your experience with or without a father in your life impacted your view of God, especially when we call God “Father”? How have you received compassion from God in your life? Try praying The Lord’s Prayer instead using “Our Mother.” Take time to reflect on how that made you feel? Why?
Our Father/Mother in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. —The Lord’s Prayer (alternate version)
PRAYER
Jesus Christ crucified, your pain enfolds into the compassionate heart of God. The Holy Spirit comforts us as a mother would, showing us pure love and compassion. She wipes your face. It is the strength of her love that bandages brokenness. God our Mother, have mercy. Give us the blessing of seeing you in our time of need and giving us the gift of your compassionate heart.