The Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb

Location: Western Lawns

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Genuflect

People: Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

Stand

Reader: A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew (27:57–60)
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and departed.

Sit/Kneel

Leader:
We place ourselves in silence at the tomb of Jesus, a silence that seeps into our very bones. For a time, the world seems to have stopped: Death has had its final say. Earlier Jesus had assured his disciples, “Unless the grain of wheat falls to the Earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (Jn 12:23-24). Jesus has become that seed from which we will be renewed.

Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, as you surrender your human form it is time to rest before your great works continue; your new covenant is upon us. Help us to let go of our dependence on earthly wants. Let us trust in you and what you have created for us. Amen.

All stand

Leader: Lord, have mercy. People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: Christ, have mercy. People: Christ, have mercy.
Leader: Lord, have mercy. People: Lord, have mercy.

 

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