Mtr Mary Trainor

“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me…” Luke 23:28

Dear friend,

Today we are with Jesus on the path from trial to death. Someone’s been plucked from the bystanders to carry the cross, dragging it with him as he falls in behind Jesus.

Besides the cross bearer, we learn that a “great number” of people are following along, including women who are visibly upset, weeping, wailing.

The Daily Office text from Luke says Jesus turns and talks to them, but something tells me this is more like calling to them over his shoulder as he and two others are hustled along to their fates. No opportunity for preaching or teaching, now, so he likely does the best he can to communicate.

“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me…” Then Jesus warns of terrible things that will happen in the days ahead. Don’t weep for me, weep for what will come to pass.

In previous readings of this text I have felt a sting from Jesus’ words. Almost a chastisement. Something akin to, “Don’t be silly with your tears when there is real heartache ahead.”

But not so this time, which underscores the value in revisiting scripture, mining it for more meaning, for greater understanding. As my life has changed with all the twists and turns in the road, scripture speaks to me differently.

This time I see Jesus on that path in a new way, desiring to communicate. Not with the soldiers. Not with the other two men being hastened along. Not with the man carrying his cross. But with the Daughters of Jerusalem.

What I have perceived before as “correction” to their tears I now hear as Jesus blessing them for their compassion. The Temple will collapse, stone upon stone. Jerusalem itself will fall to the Romans. Horrifying, faith-defying events are coming.   On the way to his execution, Jesus makes an appeal on behalf of the world he is about to leave behind. And he puts that appeal into the hearts of those who have embraced his pain.

We still live in a world where horrors occur on a daily basis. Who will weep now for incarcerated children? Who will cry today for hungry, homeless people? Who will bemoan the plight of the asylum-seeking immigrant? Whose tears will flow on behalf of an endangered planet?

“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me…” Weep instead for the sorrows that are coming, and those already here.

Mtr. Mary
...while Mtr. Taylor is away.