The Fourteenth Station, Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You!

Because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world!

So Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and receive permission to take your body from the cross and together with Nicodemus wrapped it in linen with a mixture of myrrh and aloes and laid it in the tomb and rolled a large stone across the entrance.  Having been at the cross, your own beloved Mother together with Mary Magdalene and John were there as well as the women who came with You from Galilee to witness of your burial.

Now the Apostles hid in fear and could not fathom why it all had happened.  They "knew" what the Messiah was "supposed" to do -- dying on the cross was not at all what they knew -- and they feared for their own lives.

And yet this is only the beginning.  Your mortal life is over -- but the life of your Church has just begun.  The third day would bring the consolation of your Resurrection.  When You sent your Spirit at Pentecost, the fear would be left behind and the Apostles would proclaim your Gospel.  

Lord, give us this same Spirit, so that we too may witness to your Gospel and your love and mercy.