The Tenth Station:
Jesus is stripped. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Let not those who wait for you be put to shame through me, O Lord, God of hosts. Let not those who seek you blush for me, O God of Israel, since for your sake I bear insult and shame covers my face. I have become an outcast to my brothers and sisters. (Ps 69: 7-9) Reflection: A final humiliation awaits Jesus as his bloodstained garments are stripped from his body. Jesus humbly submits to this assault upon his dignity. Everyday men, women and children are stripped of their freedom, dignity and human rights and we can feel so powerless. But each of us can help restore a sense of worth to the people we meet. We can clothe the physical, emotional and spiritual nakedness of people who suffer from humiliation and lack of respect. Prayer: Jesus, in your passion you felt tremendous scorn and disdain. You chose not to strike back, but to endure insults for the sake of love. It is the sinfulness of the human family that caused you such degradation. We are the ones who should be stripped of our pride and rebellion, our greed and selfishness. Clothe us with the garment of holiness that we might withstand the pride of life and respond with humility in the face of contempt.
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The Ninth Station:
Jesus falls the third time. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Reflection: He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins. Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole and by his stripes we were healed. Is. 53.5 Reflection Leader: Totally exhausted, physically and emotionally, Jesus cannot take another step. He collapses to the earth, crushed by the weight of the cross. But even more crushing are the sins of the human race. The loving sacrifice of Jesus overcomes the power of sin and death that has gripped the world since Adam and Eve. The sins of disobedience and rebellion are cancelled by the surrender of Jesus to God’s plan of salvation. God brings victory out of apparent defeat. Prayer: Jesus, you took upon yourself the sinfulness, atrocities and crimes of the whole human family since the beginning of time. Though humankind was created good, sin has brought devastation and ruin upon the earth. Yet we believe that by your stripes, your suffering and death, we are healed. Give us a compassionate heart toward those people who reject your love, who inflict tremendous pain upon themselves and others. May we always remember that there but for the grace of God goes each of us. The Eighth Station:
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: A great crowd of people followed Jesus, including women who beat their breasts and lamented over him. Jesus turned to them and said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me. Weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Lk 23:27-29.) Reflection: It was a Jewish custom for women to lament the death of a loved one. Jesus had some faithful mourners in his last hours. But their tears evoke compassion and sympathy from our Lord. He is much more concerned with their salvation and the salvation of his people. He warns them of catastrophes to come if people do not repent. Jesus is a teacher and a comforter right to the end. As long as there is life in his body, he will do the saving work of his Father. Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes our sufferings lead us to indulge in self-pity. We want others to weep and morn for us. That thought never crossed your mind. You were too busy giving yourself. You lovingly reached out to the women and challenged them to weep for themselves and for their children. Teach us how to console those who carry larger crosses than we do. And help us not to complain. As we minister to the less fortunate around us, we trust that you will provide for our needs. The Seventh Station:
Jesus falls the second time. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Insult has broken my heart and I am weak. I looked for sympathy, but there was none; for comforters and I found none. (Ps 69:21) Reflection: Once again Jesus crumbles under the weight of the cross. Even with Simon helping him, Jesus is too weak to carry such a heavy load. His mind and body cry out for relief, but his torturers offer none. This station reminds us of the occasions when we fall through our sinfulness, when we stubbornly resist God’s grace in order to do our will. Growing in holiness means we should be building on our virtues and minimizing our vices. True holiness means we stumble less often and less seriously because God is more the center of our lives. Prayer: Jesus, you struggled to stay on your feet but to no avail. You said yes to the will of your father knowing that your final hours would involve deep agony and crucifixion. When the sins and crosses of our lives cause us to stumble and fall, and it seems that we cannot go on, fill us with hope to face the uncertain future. Lead us to the people who can encourage us by their words and deeds. We desire to be obedient to the call of God in all circumstances of life. The Sixth Station:
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: There was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him. He was spurned and avoided by people, a person of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom people hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. (Is. 53: 2-3) Reflection: Catholic tradition records the efforts of a brave woman, Veronica, who steps out of the crowd to bring comfort to Jesus. Wiping the face of Jesus does not ease his physical pain. But this loving gesture helps heal the wounds of ridicule, rejection and condemnation heaped upon the Son of God. It reminds Jesus that there are many people who love him and believe in his message, though presently their voices are silenced. Prayer: Jesus, your face was battered, bruised and spat upon by the Roman soldiers. It took a lot of courage and compassion for Veronica to wipe your brow. Each of us wonders if we could have done the same. Yet every day there are friends and strangers who would welcome a sympathetic smile, a kind word, an embrace, or a helping hand. These acts of kindness do not take a lot of courage. Show us how to take time for hurting people, realizing that as often as we do it for one of these least sisters and brothers, we do it for you. The Fifth Station:
Simon helps Jesus carry his cross. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: As they led Jesus away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene who was coming in from the fields. They put a crossbeam on Simon’s shoulder for him to carry along behind Jesus. (Lk 23:26) Reflection: The soldiers see that Jesus is too weak to go on, so Simon is picked out to help him. Who would want to assist a condemned criminal? Is it a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Jesus, the Son of God, welcomes relief from a stranger. Jesus cannot do it alone and his disciples have fled. Simon has no choice in the matter. Yet what a unique opportunity to serve his Lord, perhaps he received the gift of faith while helping what he thought was a common criminal. Prayer: Jesus, we are grateful for the Simons who have helped us through the struggles of life. Some were even strangers. We wish to appreciate the people around us who really care. You call us to reach out with concern to all our sisters and brothers. It is easy to become self-centered, to look the other way when people need us. There are always good reasons not to get involved. Increase our faith to see you in those whom we serve. Show us how to bring your healing love to the crucified of today. The Fourth Station:
Jesus meets his mother. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before his shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth. (Is. 53:7) Reflection: Jesus and Mary enjoyed an extraordinary relationship throughout their lives. Her heart was broken as she witnessed the impending doom of her only Son. Jesus and Mary were powerless to bring comfort to one another during this momentary meeting. There were no adequate words to express their undying love, respect and admiration. The beloved disciple, John, accepts the honor of taking care of Mary. She in turn is given as a gift to all humanity, to be mother of the Church. God has a way of bringing good out of the most horrible circumstances of life. Prayer: Jesus, you greet your grieving mother for a fleeting moment amid a throng of people clamoring for your death. It must have been a great sorrow to leave your mother behind in such torment. We thank you for the gift of your mother, for she is an inspiration to all generations of Christians. Though her heart was pierced with sorrow, she stayed with you to the end. We invite Mary to console us in our daily struggles and failures. Strengthen us, Jesus, to stand at the foot of the crosses of those whom we love. The Third Station:
Jesus falls the first time. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: He relied on the Lord; let him deliver him. Let him rescue him if he loves him. (Ps 22:8-9) Reflection: The scourging of Jesus at the pillar was enough to kill a person. Weakened and dehydrated, Jesus struggles to shoulder the cross to Calvary, but each step is bitterly painful. The crown of thorns digs into his head, while the open wounds from the scourging burn his flesh. Amid the jeering crowd, Jesus plunges to the ground under the weight of the cross. The soldiers lash at him, and brutally pull him to his feet. The way of the cross continues mercilessly. Prayer: Jesus, it is not surprising that you fell several times on the way to Calvary. Yet, you had great determination to complete your mission no matter what the cost. Open our eyes to notice the people who stumble and fall around us due to the hardships of life. Let us realize that they also are trying to do the Father’s will. Show us how to lift them up physically and spiritually, and to encourage them with the crosses they carry. In reaching out to the crucified of today, it is as if we are reaching out to help you in your Passion. The Second Station:
Jesus carries his cross. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Finally, when the soldiers had finished making a fool of Jesus, they stripped him of the clock, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucifixion. Matt. 27:31 Reflection: The scourging has left Jesus steeped in pain. Now a cross is placed on his bleeding shoulders to take on the last journey of his life. He lovingly embraces the cross just as he accepts the sins of us all. Placing one weary foot ahead of the other, Jesus trudges onward to Calvary. His strength is failing but Jesus is determined to go on. How challenging his words seem now, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, take up the cross, and follow in my steps.” (Mark 8:34) Prayer: Lord Jesus, life is a journey which contains joys and sufferings, success and heartaches. It would be so much easier without all that physical pain, emotional anguish, and spiritual weakness. Yet to be your faithful disciple costs a great deal. Self-denial is so difficult for us. Some would even consider it foolishness. But we choose to embrace the crosses which come our way just as you did. With your help we will persevere on the road which leads to eternal life. The First Station:
Jesus is condemned to die. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own, or have others been telling you about me?” “I am no Jew!” Pilate retorted. “It is you own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “my kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my subjects would be fighting to save me from being handed over to the Jews. As it is, my kingdom is not here.” (John 18:33-36) Reflection: Most Jewish people of Jesus’ time hated the Romans and avoided contact with them. Yet the chief priests and elders had to obtain permission from the Roman governor in order to put anyone to death. Pilate could see through their political scheming. Jesus was not the criminal type. A little deluded perhaps. How could he be a king? There were no soldiers to fight for him. And what does it mean to possess a kingdom not of this world? It was all meaningless to Pilate. Yet he had the power to release Jesus. But that might cause a riot. So, it is more expedient for Jesus to die. Prayer: Jesus, it seems like everyone is out to condemn you. You are scorned and rejected by your people as well as the Romans. Hatred, ridicule and injustice are heaped upon you. Though you were praised a few days earlier there is no one to defend you now. But we hail you as the King of kings and the Prince of Peace. Jesus, cleanse us from our vices and our attraction toward evil. We desire to be permanent citizens of your kingdom. Make us instruments of your peace and justice wherever we go. |
Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P. "Preacher on the Run"Just a few thoughts to help you on your journey through life...let me know from time to time what you think... Archives
April 2024
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