on grief.

I ran accross this icon of The Lamentation over Jesus' death, in which Mary is cradling her Son's head in sorrow. While studying it, I recalled a sobering, stunningly beautiful Ruthinian hymn we sang in church a few weeks ago. The Grieving Mother The grieving mother stood beneath the cross Weeping in sorrow, tearfully she prayed: O Son, my Son, innocent and faultless Why must You suffer this bitter passion On the Cross? Bitter tears are falling near Your Holy body O my child, I raised You long before these enemies Now as I lose You, while I weep before You O my Son, You leave me And Your life I will no longer see. Surely the Mother of God knows the true cost of our salvation more deeply than we can ever hope to.