While Mary, our Stabat Mater, could not take away the pain and agony of Jesus' death,
she was able to stand with him so that he would not be alone. We can learn so much
from Mary's compassionate and unwavering love for her son.

Who stands with you, and with whom do you stand?

Stand

I stand.

I am huddled with the crowd, standing on this dirty and dusty road so close to the ground.

I see you emptied, my son, humbly and obediently making your way to the distant hill
carrying the cross I long to carry.

Tears fall down my cheeks as I remember tenderly holding and rocking you in my arms.

I see you emptied, my son, humbly and obediently making your way to the distant hill
carrying the cross I long to carry.

How I long to stand in your place. My mother's heart grieves to see you this way.

Tears fall down my cheeks as I remember tenderly holding and rocking you in my arms.

While you are bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh, you do not belong to me. I know
that you journey to the place that you must go.

How I long to stand in your place. My mother's heart grieves to see you this way.

I cannot stand in your place, child of mine, but I can stand with you on your journey.

While you are bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh, you do not belong to me. I know
that you journey to the place that you must go.

Your words in the temple ring in my ears, Why were you looking for me? Did you not know
that I had to be in my Abba's house?

I cannot stand in your place, child of mine, but I can stand with you on your journey.

The angel said, Be not afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Be not afraid,
precious one, for you are also in God's favor.

Your words in the temple ring in my ears, Why were you looking for me? Did you not know
that I had to be in my Abba's house?

I did not understand. I understand now.

The angel said, Be not afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Be not afraid,
precious one, for you are also in God's favor.

I see you emptied, my son, humbly and obediently making your way to the distant hill
carrying the cross I long to carry.

Your words in the temple ring in my ears, Why were you looking for me? Did you not
know that I had to be in my Abba's house?

I stand.

--Joan Dollinger
SSJ Associate

Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a
servant, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he
humbled himself, obediently accepting death, even death on a cross.
                                               Philippians 2: 6-8

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