† The Fourteenth Station

XIV The Body of Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb

Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen and laid it in his new tomb

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. Lk 23:50-53

The gift of this station is generosity. Joseph of Arimathea gives his own new tomb to Jesus. What a bittersweet joy he must have felt to be able to give this one last gift to the Lord. But the truth is, whenever we give generously of the gifts God has so bountifully given to us – to anyone – we give them to the Lord. It is the duty and the blessing of good stewards to give freely, as we have freely received.

Save us, Savior of the world, for by your cross and resurrection,
You have set us free.