The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus ChristEmmerich, Anna Katharina
Religion
The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Emmerich, Anna Katharina
Jesus Christ -- Passion -- Devotional literature
In no part of Jerusalem did the arrest of Jesus produce more
touching demonstrations of grief than among the poor inhabitants of
Ophel, the greatest part of whom were daylabourers, and the rest
principally employed in menial offices in the service of the Temple.
The news came unexpectedly upon them; for some time they doubted the
truth of the report, and wavered between hope and fear; but the sight
of their Master, their Benefactor, their Consoler, dragged through the
streets, torn, bruised, and ill-treated in every imaginable way, filled
them with horror; and their grief was still farther increased by
beholding his afflicted Mother wandering about from street to street,
accompanied by the holy women, and endeavouring to obtain some
intelligence concerning her Divine Son. These holy women were often
obliged to hide in corners and under door-ways for fear of being seen
by the enemies of Jesus; but even with these precautions they were
oftentimes insulted, and taken for women of bad character--their feelings
were frequently harrowed by hearing the malignant words and triumphant
expressions of the cruel Jews, and seldom, very seldom, did a word of
kindness or pity strike their ears. They were completely exhausted
before reaching their place of refuge, but they endeavoured to console
and support one another, and wrapped thick veils over their heads. When
at last seated, they heard a sudden knock at the door, and listened
breathlessly--the knock was repeated, but softly, therefore they made
certain that it was no enemy, and yet they opened the door cautiously,
fearing a stratagem. It was indeed a friend, and they issued forth and
walked about for a time, and then again returned to their place of
refuge--still more heartbroken than before.
The majority of the Apostles, overcome with terror, were wandering
about among the valleys which surround Jerusalem, and at times took
refuge in the caverns beneath Mount Olivet. They started if they came
in contact with one another, spoke in trembling tones, and separated on
the least noise being heard. First they concealed themselves in one
cave and then in another, next they endeavoured to return to the town,
while some of their number climbed to the top of Mount Olivet and cast
anxious glances at the torches, the light of which they could see
glimmering at and about Sion; they listened to every distant sound,
made a thousand different conjectures, and then returned to the valley,
in hopes of getting some certain intelligence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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