He asked me if I had expected the road to be easy. Did Christ ever promise us that it would be? He essentially asked me: “Can you drink this cup?” He admonished me that if I were serious about living a Christian life, I needed to develop some strength and courage. I remember him saying, “I understand some initial tears—but—still? It’s time to stop this!”
This scene returned to my memory as I pondered the Eighth Station of Jesus pausing before the weeping women of Jerusalem. I imagine the women receiving the message: “It’s time to stop this!” How shocking to receive a reprimand directly from our Lord and Savior, when He is carrying His cross, on his way to be crucified.
As I consider the weeping women, I am struck by the sketch that we have been invited to ponder this week. It’s an odd depiction of the station. Perhaps that’s the power of the artwork—it forces us to look again, question, and meditate. I am struck by the chalice—and by the hands of Jesus, particularly his right hand. If the sketch were to have a title, perhaps it would be: “Can you drink this cup?”
Let’s take another look: Jesus is not forcing the chalice on the women; he seems to be gently, even tenderly, offering the cup of His suffering to them. That’s the way that Jesus offers us the cup, as well. Perhaps He gently is asking us this Lent to ponder: Are we ready to drink of the cup? Are we prepared? Might we be caught up in pity for ourselves, or in sentimentality, that we don’t face the reality of sin—in ourselves and in the world? Might we take the time this Lent to recommit to walking with our Lord, and opening our hands and our hearts to what He may be asking of us?
