The heart in this tile is turned up and receptive to the women on Jesus’ journey, and it bears the dust of the life he had lived.

Station 8 – Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

I had to be there. It seemed unusually hot and dusty.

Maybe it was the pain and the anger I felt

around me and inside.

I brought my children.

There was no one to watch out for them.

Everyone was at the crucifixion spectacle,

and my children had seen violence from soldiers before.

With me at least, they could hold my hands

and I could comfort them against his pain.

I thought, “They are safe with me.”

Can I keep them safe in a world like this?

I remember what he said,

“Do not weep for me, but for yourselves

and for your children.” He loved us–

it was obvious from the first time we met him

when he played with the children

and listened to them and to me.

Now with all his suffering

we could see that his love for us

could not be washed away by pain–

though perhaps his deep regard

for us and for our children,

helped bring him to this road.

We didn’t stay long.

If I cannot keep the children safe at least I could

bring them home and comfort their hearts,

listen to them as Jesus did.

Maybe someday It will be enough.

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