Take a moment to think about Jesus dying, and yet we are living. Pause to remember the dead, and the hopes and dreams they had. Ponder what Jesus might have done, had he not been crucified. Repent for living like one who is dead, and how you may live like one who is alive.
Station 11: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
With today’s rest, think about what held him there…. ?
Station 10: Jesus is Stripped of his Clothes
From ‘The Sacred Heart of Jesus’ in Zagreb, Croatia
Station 9: Jesus Falls for the Third Time
In Christianity and in the Bible, three or the “trinity” are common themes. I do not feel that it is haphazard that in the stations of the cross there are three falls. Three failings. Thre disappointments. The trinity often refers to the holy trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Sometimes, I wonder if the three falls signify Jesus failing God, Himself, and the Divine Spirit. These are the same failings that we have afterall. We fail God by not keeping the 10 commandments. We fail Jesus and ourselves by not challenging the status quo and being the best of our humanity. Finally, we fail the holy spirit by not believing in our own selves and our own uniqueness and worth.
Today, I invite you to pray using the own words from your heart admitting your weakness and asking for divine grace. That is the prayer for all of us. Amen.
Station 8: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
At today’s station Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem. It is an interaction between Jesus who responds to them and them grieving for him. It is a give and take, an opening of the wound and a balm. The prophecy of what is go come and the answer on how to accept that. These women do not appear to have been the wealthy, independent followers of Jesus, but concerned neighbours aware of what is going on near their area. Jesus reminds us to not dull the pain, but to feel it keenly. To bear witness to the world in which we live.