Shrine of St. Therese in Juneau, Alaska Home Page

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Fourteenth Station: ENTOMBED

We Adore You, O Christ, And We Praise You.
Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed The World.

There was a man named Joseph, an upright and holy member of the Sanhedrin, who had not been associated with their plan or their action. He was from Arimathaea, a Jewish town, and he looked expectantly for the reign of God. This man approached Pilate with a request for Jesus' body (Luke 23: 50-52). Thereupon Pilate issued an order for its release. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in fresh linen and laid it in his own new tomb which had been hewn from a formation of rock (Matt. 27: 57-60).

The fourteenth station scene, depicted as being inside the tomb, reveals Jesus' body stretched out upon the altar or stage, that sacred place of sacrificial worship. This will be the only time that you find "an altar upon an altar," Jesus being the bridge between the Old and the New Testaments. The World, as seen through the arched doorway of the tomb, is shown outside or apart from Christ
--as in a state of disbelief--as recorded in the Gospel of John, He was in the world, and through him the world was made, yet the world did not know who he was. To his own he came, yet his own did not accept him (John 1: 10-12).

In accordance with the Jewish burial custom, Jesus' body was wrapped in linen cloth, and plans were made by the women followers of Jesus to anoint his body with spices and perfumed oils. Joseph of Arimathaea, arms folded and eyes closed, deeply saddened by the cruel execution of Jesus, continues to reverence the Christ. Struggling to believe as Nicodemus did, Joseph ponders Jesus' words ... so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that all who believe may have eternal life in him. Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him may not die but may have eternal life . God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him (John 3: 14-17). Wanting to believe and to understand these words, Joseph turns to God in prayer, for the scene before him is bewildering.

Mary, holding a bag of perfumed oils and spices, and looking dazed from the abuse and violence that was done to her son, seems to be reflecting on the last words that Jesus spoke to her before he died regarding her relationship with the disciple, John, whom he loved. 'Woman, there is your son.' In turn he said to the disciple, 'There is your mother' (John 19: 26-27). This message from her Son's dying lips, like so many of the words that he had spoken during the three years of his public ministry, were impressed upon Mary for she knew that the depth of meaning would come forth as time was lived. With her eyes open, as if she is turning to look at you, she appears to be inviting you into a special relationship with her. Her invitation for you is to become her son, her daughter, and to accept the mother's love that she has for you, Christ-filled as it is.

Stations of the Cross Walking Tour Map