http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frws0SAEy9A
I really appreciate this song by Matt Maher as we recognize the work of Jesus on the cross.
This blog is based on the writings Clarence Enzler, on “Everyone’s Way of the Cross”. I have taken the opportunity to share insights and personal meaning as well. We are going to walk through the fourteen stations of the Cross which do come out of the Catholic tradition; however, they were performed by Christian pilgrims who visited the sites of Jesus’ passion as far back as the late 4th century. It took place after Constantine had built the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on where it was believed to be the place of Calvary and the tomb of Jesus. It was the Franciscans who would continue this tradition in the 1300s to enrich their lives with this act of devotion. So, the Via Dolorosa was established known as the sorrowful way and I had the opportunity to walk along this now very crowded part of the old city of Jerusalem.
My prayer is that this time together would lead us into a greater appreciation of His death and sacrifice on the cross of Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins and the opportunity to now become sons and daughters of the most high God, our Father.
Station 1 Jesus Is Condemned
Christ speaks to us: In Pilate’s hands, I see my Father’s will. Though he washes his hands of me, the Father’s hand is on me as I submit to those who rule over me. And so the Son of God obeys as the Father has given that power over and sentenced to be crucified.
We reply: My Jesus, Lord, obedience cost your life. For me it costs an act of will and yet why is it so hard for me to bend. Remove the blinders from my eyes that I may see whom I submit to in all who govern me. Lord, it is you.
Station 2 Jesus Takes His Cross
Christ speaks to us: This cross, this chunk of tree, is what my Father chose for me. The crosses you must bear are largely products of your daily life. And yet my Father chose them, too, for you. Receive them from his hands.
We reply: Lord I take my daily cross. I recognize that Jesus called me as his disciple and that if I wanted to come after him, I must deny myself, take up my cross and follow him. Remind me often that in carrying my cross, I place others before myself, not my will, but your will be done.Station 3 Jesus Falls
Christ speaks to us: The God who made the universe, and holds it in existence by his will alone, becomes a man, too weak to bear a piece of timber’s weight. How human in His weakness is the Son of God. My Father willed it thus. I could not be your model otherwise
We reply: Lord Jesus, how can I refuse? I willingly accept my weakness because your strength is made perfect in my weakness. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:10
Station 4 Jesus Meets His Mother
Christ speaks to us: My mother sees me whipped. She sees me kicked and driven like a beast. She counts my every wound. But though her soul cries out in agony, no protest or complaint. She shares in the pain of a mother’s heart that is broken for her son. We hide no pain, no sorrow from each other’s eyes. This is my Father’s will. “Dear woman, here is your son. And to the disciple, here is your mother. From that time on, the disciple took her into his home” John 19:26,27
We reply: My Jesus, Lord. I know what you are telling me. To enter into the pain of those we love is harder than to bear our own. To carry our cross after you, we must also grieve with those who grieve. I do believe that for those who love you all things work together for good. Teach me to see those that you are calling me to have compassion on in Jesus’ name.
Station 5 Simon Helps Jesus
Christ speaks to us: My strength is gone; I can no longer bear the cross alone. And so the legionnaires make Simon give me aid. Each time you lift some burden from another’s back, you lift as with your very hand the cross’s awful weight that crushes me.
We reply: Lord, make me realize that every time I wipe a dish, pick up an object off the floor, assist a child in some small task, or give another preference in traffic or in the store, each time I feed the hungry, clothe the naked, learn to bear the burden of another, my name is Simon. And the kindness I extend to them I really give to you.
Station 6 Veronica Wipes The Face of Jesus
Christ speaks to us: Can you be brave enough, my other self, to wipe my bloody face? Where is my face, you ask? At home whenever eyes fill up with tears, at work when tensions rise, on playgrounds, in the slums, in the courts, the hospitals, the jails – wherever suffering exists- my face is there. And there I look for you to wipe away my blood and tears.
We reply: Lord what you ask is hard. It calls for courage and self -sacrifice, and I am weak. Please give me strength. Don’t let me run away because of fear. Lord live in me and act in me and love in me. And not in me alone – in all of us- so that we may reveal no more your bloody but glorious face on earth
Station 7 Jesus Falls Again
Christ speaks: This fall is the one that tests my will. From this, I learn to persevere in love and in fulfilling my mission. The time will come when all my efforts seem to fail and my strength fails me. I look to the Father and He tells me to carry on. Trust me and carry on.
We reply: Give me your courage, Lord. When failure presses heavily on me and I am desolate, stretch out your hand to lift me up. I know I must not cease, but persevere in doing good. But help me Lord. Alone, I can do nothing without you. With you, I can do all things through YOU who gives me strength. In your Name and by your Spirit I will.
Station 8 Jesus Consoles The Women
Christ speaks: How often had I longed to take the children of Jerusalem and gather them to me. But they refused. But now these women weep for me and my heart mourns for them – mourns for their sorrow that will come. I comfort those with the comfort of my presence.
We reply: My Jesus, your compassion in your passion is beyond compare. Lord teach me, help me to learn. When I would snap at those who hurt me with their ridicule, those who misunderstand, or hinder me with some misguided helpfulness, those who intrude, then help me to hold my tongue. May gentleness be the clothing that I wear and may kindness be the words of my heart.
Station 9 The Third Fall
Christ speaks: Completely drained of strength I lie, collapsed, upon the cobblestone. My body cannot move. No blows, no kicks can rouse it up. Know this, though my body may be broken, but no force on earth and none in hell can take away your will. Your will be done.
We reply: My Lord, I see you take a moment’s rest then rise and stagger on. So I can do because your will be done. When all my strength is gone and guilt and self -reproach press me to earth and seem to hold me fast, protect me from the sin of Judas – save me from despair. Lord never let me feel that any sin of mine is greater than your love. No matter what my past has been, I can begin anew.
Station 10 Jesus Is Stripped
Christ speaks: Behold, the poorest king who ever lived. Before my creatures I stand stripped. The cross – my deathbed – even this is not my own. Yet who has ever been so rich? Possessing nothing, I own all – my Father’s love. If you, too, would own everything, do not hold on to your food, your clothes, your possessions, your life. May your most precious possession be me.
We reply: My Lord, I offer you my all – whatever I possess, and more, myself. Detach me from the craving for prestige, position, wealth. Root out of me all trace of envy of my neighbor who has more than I. Release me from the vice of pride, my longing to exalt myself, and lead me to the lowest place. May I be poor in spirit, Lord, so that I can be rich in you.
Station 11 Jesus Is Crucified
Christ speaks: Can you imagine what a crucifixion is? My executioners stretch out my arms; they hold my hand and wrist against the wood and press it into the nail until it stabs my flesh. Then, with one heave hammer smash, they drive it through – and pain bursts like a bomb of fire in my brain. They seize the other arm and agony again explodes. Then raising up my knees so that my feet are flat against the wood, they hammer them fast, too.
We reply: My God, I look at You and think: Is my soul worth this much? What can I give you in return? I here and now accept Your love that held You to the cross for me. For it is by your stripes, your wounds, we are healed
Station 12 Jesus Dies
Christ speaks to us: The Cross becomes a pulpit now – Forgive them, Father. You will be with me in paradise…There is your mother…There...your son…I thirst…It is finished.
To speak I have to raise myself by pressing on my wrists and feet, and every move engulfs me in new waves of agony. And then, when I have borne enough, have emptied my humanity, I let my mortal life depart
Our response: My Jesus, God, what can I say or do? I offer you my death with all of its pains, accepting now that I am crucified with Christ and it is my desire that I no longer live, but that you live in me! I offer you my death so that I will be raised up to newness of life with you. Thank you God that you will never leave me, nor forsake me
The Message of the Cross is really foolishness to those who are perishing. It is the same way Noah must have appeared when he built the ark to all those who were watching him. It seemed absolutely absurd. Who would openly choose to die for those who would spit on your sacrifice? It was Jesus
The word for foolishness in 1 Cor. 1:18 could easily be understood as ‘moronic’ to really carry the full weight of the verse. It makes no sense to those who don’t understand)
If we really want zoe-life, our soul must go to the cross.
Don’t minimize repentance Luke 9:23 it is a daily calling to deny self and take up our cross. Your ‘self’ won’t go down easily.
The answer for the soul is found in the yoke, that hard wooden crosspiece. That doesn’t seem easy at all, it looks cumbersome, annoying, restrictive. There is no coincidence that Ps 23 comes after Ps 22. Perfect rest is only discovered after coming to the cross.
The cross occupies a central place in proclaiming the gospel. It is both the crowning place of a life of self-renunciation and the ordained instrument of salvation!
Station 13 Jesus Is Taken Down
Christ speaks: The sacrifice is done. Yes, the price has been paid, You who once were lost are now found. I know that my death brings your freedom. So, then death is at work in me, but life is at work in you. I have paid it all, the price of souls forgiven.
We reply: We are unworthy of such a great sacrifice, but thank you that you have called me to Yourself. I have seen the Savior’s love for me. It is because of the Father’s great mercy and grace that He brought you to death so that life may reign in me.
Station 14 Jesus Is Buried and Laid In The Tomb
Christ speaks: So ends my earthly life. But now another begins for Mary, and for Mary Magdalene, for Peter, for John, for each and every one of you. My life’s work is done. My work within and through my body, the church must now commence.
We reply: My Jesus, Lord, you know my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. The teaching you have imparted, the suffering you have borne, the work of love that you have done, let it be done in me and through me that all may see you high and lifted up.
Christ speaks: I told you my life was not complete until I crowned it by my death. May you accept each moment as it comes to you with faith and trust that all that happens has my mark on it. A simple breath of prayer in your heart, not my will, but your will be done.
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