IX. The Carriage of the Cross - Mary on the Way to Calvary

Whilst Jesus is conducted to the place of crucifixion He falls on His face several times under the cross He is forced to carry. A few compassionate voices are heard saying: "Alas, He dies!" Ah! no. He saves the little strength that remains until it shall have been entirely spent on that bitter cross. When He rises from His fall He is all covered with mire and blood. On the right and on the left the crowd enjoy the spectacle; and barbarous and cynical reflections are cast upon Him. All at once there is silence. A pale and tottering woman, supported by pious and friendly females, is pointed out. She braves the fury of the executioners and soldiers, and, with faltering steps, approaches the Condemned. In a low voice some murmur: "It is His Mother! Ah, poor woman!" And others say: "Blessed are those who have never been mothers, if their children should come to this!" Pitied, insulted, rebuffed, Mary is with Her Son. Oh, what a heartrending scene! Bathed in tears, the Virgin Mother casts herself kneeling at the feet of the holy Victim, and, embracing Him, cries out: "O my Son, my dear Son!" And Jesus, in a trembling voice, answers: "O Mother, my dear Mother!" The sad meeting lasts but an instant, for Mary, crushed with grief, falls fainting into the arms of the holy women.

O Mother of sorrows! why have you come? Must you not have foreseen that this meeting would grievously aggravate the pain of your dearly Beloved? Without doubt our divine Master is afflicted at seeing the grief of His Mother; but He is also profoundly consoled at the public testimony she gives of Her love.

She braves contempt and anger to come to Him; and when nearly the whole world condemns and curses Him She strives to cover Him in Her devoted heart, uttering the words: "I adore Thee and I love Thee." Cruel executioners! now you may insult and strike Him. Jesus has found, in meeting His Mother, compensation for all your injuries, for all your barbarities.

Jesus looks for the same consolation from you, O Christian soul! in the dolorous way which impious men still mark out for Him. Just now you resolve to protest against the injuries heaped upon your Saviour by the secret homage of faith and love. This is something; but it is not enough. Do better. Show yourself openly on His side; trample under-foot all human fears and make manifest your religious sentiments before the world in all circumstances. It is cheap and easy love that feasts itself on greatness that has no enemies. But it is noble and glorious to take part publicly with the persecuted. The friends of the unfortunate are the only true friends.

Are you, then, of that easy-going class who believe and adore Jesus, indeed, in the depth of their hearts, yet who for His sake will not confront His enemies? These people are mute before blasphemers, as if God were no more than a stranger to them, as if their faith was a weakness to be concealed from all eyes. Worse still: whilst their wounded conscience writhes and groans at the outrage, they admire arid almost venerate the talent and ability with which He who gave them is abased, and with impotent smiles everywhere compensate those who mock, with spirit, holy things. But there is something still worse: these half- Christians often lie to their convictions by sacrilegious admissions, and end by making common cause, at least outwardly, with the enemies of God. Certainly prudence requires that we enter not into discussions in which our inexperience or want of ability might injure the cause we wish to defend. Certainly there may be inopportune and inappropriate methods of defense which offend self-love, excite the anger of the impious, and render them more obstinate in contradiction and in blasphemy. But an energetic denial, a grave, measured, and sympathetic word, cannot fail to be effectual; and, if we do not venture these, surely a sad countenance and eyes filled with tears are always to the purpose, and always argue better than long discourses.

But once again I say, Christians, let us openly manifest ourselves. Let us console by our external homage and our religious sentiments the offended heart of our Saviour. If the Church invites us to some manifestation of faith and love, let us obey her with alacrity. The enemies of God will be less bold if they see us on the side of His friends. Their desire is to abolish God's festivals and disperse His friends so as to weaken them. It was so in the days of the royal prophet, who makes God's enemies thus speak in the seventy- third Psalm: "Let us abolish all the festival-days of God from the land." Timid and vacillating souls who are frightened and disconcerted by blasphemy will take courage when they see that Jesus is still really loved and adored. God, prepared to avenge His outraged glory, will hold back the thunderbolts of His anger, "for one soul fearing and adoring Him is better than a thousand impious" (Ecclus. 16:3). And then our Lord's dolorous way to Calvary will in truth become a triumphal march.