Surely it was upon seeing the reverence and trauma of Mary upon Jesus’ death on the Cross that those detaching the body of Jesus from the cross and lowering Jesus into her arms could not bear to hurt Jesus further, ripping his hands and feet over the nails. What to do?
We see from this scientific study that they were able to remove the nails with the body, so that the nails remained in His hands and feet while Mary held Him, while He was buried, while He – as we see in this video – rose from the dead. The shroud documents the first five seconds of the Resurrection of Jesus.
This cut me to the quick, dark and evil sinner that I am. Imagine how this overwhelmed the Immaculate Blessed Virgin Mother of God. I want that my heart of stone be ripped out and thrown away so that I might be given a heart of flesh that might suffer with her, however unworthy that I am.
It kind of brings it home, seeing her see the nails still there, while she holds Him.
The Holy Name of Mary? Bitter Sea? A sea of bitterness… the sorrow… the perfect maternal intercession for us…
Co-Redemptrix? Yes. Jesus is the One, the only One. But it is fitting in justice that one of us intercede perfectly for those graces of Redemption, for those graces of Salvation brought to us by her Divine Son.
She, having seen those nails, now looks up… Is there any sorrow like her sorrow, oh you who pass by the way?
I recall, as if I were Elijah’s servant, out front of the cave of Elijah on Mount Carmel years ago, praying about the cloud in the shape of a foot, laden with the rain that would end three and half year drought as described in the Sacred Scriptures. And, very suddenly, right before me, over the bitter sea below Mount Carmel, there immediately formed a cloud in the shape of a foot, laden with rain. What is the three and a half years that is coming upon us, I wondered. Here’s the picture I took of that event:
Let’s not forget. Mary, whose name means bitter sea, is the one who, with the Redeemer, crushes the head of the serpent, the ancient dragon, Satan.
She intercedes that we might once again have clarity in the teaching of doctrine, morals, the spiritual life, with reverent liturgy. Enough of the drought that we are suffering. We want Jesus. We want Mary.
Pray the Rosary. Keep up with the Sacraments. Pray for the salvation of souls. The rains will come.
Addendum: Here is a rendition of the instruments of the passion. The huge pincers have always been depicted as enormous. I think that, in this way, the nails could be removed with the body, the pincers circling around the hands and feet.
ARISE! LET US BE GOING! 
oh Glory! (my first thought about this conversation)
The rains will come. And we won’t need an umbrella. We have you Mother of God, Mary Most Holy.
An inspiring post, thank you Father; the video, too. One thing confuses me, though: How did they take Our Lord down from the cross without removing the nails?
Bend the nail straight in back of cross, then huge pincers, if you’ve ever seen those…
I see. Thank you Father.
I was wondering… if Jesus was buried still wearing the crown of thorns and nails in his hands and feet, then perhaps the angels removed the crown of thorns and nails and set it aside with the shroud when Jesus rose from the dead. It doesn’t say anything to that effect in the gospels.
However, after He rose from the dead, Jesus appeared to the Apostles and instructed Thomas to put his finger into his wounds. Jesus didn’t have the nails in his wounds at that time. Interesting. Thank you Father George for posting this video.
Sincerely,
catherine
Happy Birthday month, Mum! We’re so glad God made you.
Thank you so much, 007. My heart has been playing-up once again (the beats go out of rhythm) and I missed seeing your post until now. Your message has cheered me greatly. You even guessed the right week (maybe our guardian angels have been conversing). I turn 73 this Friday. Might you be willing to tell us your birthday? I would like to send my best wishes when your birthday comes around.
A Spring chicken are you, Mum! My sainted mother welcomed me during the first week of June, and unjustly, I received my first spanking as well! So my adversarial attitude to Doctors is deeply rooted.
—anachronism alert!—
Not since Obama received the Nobel Peace prize, was an award so undeserved! [unlike Barack, I earned it later]
You have a very enjoyable sense of humour, 007.
On a serious note, your birth month strikes me as very appropriate given June is the month of the Sacred Heart and your devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.