The Third: “Woman, behold, your son!” (John 19:26)
Ah, mother, my pain wounds you as if it were your own! Forgive me: I seek your salvation more than your happiness. I must do it; so it is written of me. My grace and your sin plunge me in misery. But do not think yourself forsaken—see, while I am dying, my word provides for you. Though now I am accursed on the cross, I turn John's heart toward you, yours toward him. And you, my dearest friend, care for my mother, the one in whose body I took on the flesh in which I die for your salvation. Love will not succumb to the power of pain. Her grief is one more branch on this tree on which, through death, I bring you life. Click here to read this sonnet in the original German. (Note: the document linked here contains the entire series of 7 sonnets.)