XVI. Jesus is laid in the tomb

Oh, my buried Jesus,

I kiss the stone that closes you in.

You gloriously did rise again on the third day.

I beg you by your resurrection that I may be raised gloriously on the last day,

to be united with you in heaven,

to praise you and love you forever.

I love you Jesus, and I repent of ever having offended you.

Grant that I may love you always; and then do with me as you will.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

Virgin of all virgins blest

Listen to my fond request

Let me share your grief divine

XVI. Jesus is laid in the tomb

I have recently been away on pilgrimage, and when we were praying the stations of the cross this station was reflected upon with the words: And the world lost in sadness and grief, became pregnant with the hope of redemption.

The last station of the cross already is inviting people to look ahead. We can see that the story has not finished. This is a moment of quiet, but there is so much to come.

The journey through the stations of the cross is a challenge to be present to suffering in the world. To notice people where no one else bothers, and take the time to think about them, speak to them and help them. This can be tough, but ultimately, like the 14th station, even in the midst of sadness, the stations point towards hope. Towards the end of the story: resurrection.

XVI. Jesus is laid in the tomb

Illustration: Lodwar Cathedral

XVI. Jesus is laid in the tomb

We adore you O Christ and we praise you

Because, by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus - though a secret one because he was afraid of the Jews - asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission, so they came and took it away. Nicodemus came aswell - the same one who had first come to Jesus at night time - and he brought a mixture of myrhh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, following the Jewish burial custom. At the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in this garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been buried. Since it was the Jewish Day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

John 19: 38 - 42