Subject Matter: Thirteenth Station of the Cross ~ Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
Free Religion Lesson from Our Holy Faith, Book 1 Teacher’s Manual
Objectives
- To know that Jesus by His suffering and death fulfilled the promise of God to mankind.
- To foster devotion to our Sorrowful Mother.
Approach
A man named Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked if he could bury Jesus in his own newly cut tomb. Permission given, Joseph and some of his friends went back to Calvary to take Jesus down from the cross. (Show picture of the thirteenth Station.)
Presentation
Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
Mary and Jesus’ friends then take the body of our crucified Redeemer down from the cross. You can imagine how much care they took of His body. How they must have touched it tenderly and lovingly. They could see the terrible wounds in His hands and feet and side. They could see how much sin had hurt Him.
Sorrow of Mary
As Mary, the Mother of God, held the body of her Son, she must have been terribly sad. She had never sinned, but she knew how terrible sin must be to cause such torment. But she was not angry at us for our sins. Like Jesus, she forgave us and wants to help us. She knew that Jesus loves us and that He died to save us, and she is ready to help us go to Him. Ask her for her help. She will never refuse.
Organization
- Who took the body of Jesus down from the cross?
- To whom did they give Jesus?
- How did they prepare the body of Jesus for burial?
- How did Mother Mary feel when she saw Jesus’ body?
Virtues and Practices
- Tell Mary that you are sorry she had to suffer.
- Pray for those who are in sorrow.
- Give comfort to those in sorrow.
Suggested Learning Activities
- Make a visit to the church on Good Friday to adore the Cross.
- Study and discuss the picture of the Station.
- Compose and chart an original prayer.
- Poem: “Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross,” Belger, Sing a Song of Holy Things, p. 73