2017 STATIONS OF THE CROSS
These reflections on the Stations of the Cross were written by members of our parish family who have opened their hearts to the fire of God’s love and let the Holy Spirit in to inspire and guide them. As you read these reflections, we invite you to see with your heart how Jesus can help you to carry your cross this Lent.
Dear Heavenly Father,
As we reflect on your Son’s Way of the Cross, we ask you to open our ears, minds, and hearts to your Presence. Please lead us to your Son’s Cross, please lead us to your love, please lead us to salvation. This we ask, in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death.
Reflection written by Dan Pirrello
Although sinless, Jesus is sentenced to death as a criminal. Pilate has the ability to release Jesus, but instead he gives in to what the crowd wants. Pilate washes his own hands of the matter and ties Jesus’ hands behind His back. The journey to the cross begins. Together, let us pray…
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross,
You have redeemed the world.
As I reflect on the meaning of the First Station of the Cross, I think of the fear that Jesus must have felt when he was sentenced to death. Crucifixion is a very painful way to die. He knew that he would be tortured and killed. He accepted God’s will, even knowing what he was about to endure. At this moment we see Jesus in his most human form, as he stands in front of Pilate. Having committed no sin, he is judged by others who dislike him. I think many of us who believe in Jesus Christ have felt judged and ridiculed because of what we believe as followers of our Lord and Savior. Pilate was weak. Even though he knew Jesus had done nothing wrong, he bowed to the will of the mob and took the easy way out. We are to stand up for our faith, even when it is difficult.
I am sure that, standing in front of Pilate, Jesus felt all alone and abandoned by his followers. I am struck by the strength and dignity he showed in accepting his fate. Haven’t we at times felt ignored or abandoned by people we love? We know how hurtful that is.
The most overwhelming feeling I get when I think of Jesus being condemned to death is his enduring love for us all. He loved us so much that that he accepted torture and death for the promise of eternal life. He died to forgive our sins, not his! What an amazing act of love by Jesus. I feel overwhelmed knowing how loved I am and how loved we all are.
Parents would do anything to protect their children, so I wonder how God must have felt knowing he had to let his son be tortured and crucified. Though his heart must have ached seeing his son suffer, God did it for us – because He loves us that much.
Dear Jesus, please help us this Lent to remember your love for us. Guide us to follow in your footsteps. Help us to be there for family and friends in good times and bad. Please give us the strength to love and forgive others and most importantly to practice our faith at all times.
The Second Station: Jesus Takes Up His Cross.
Reflection written by Ray Martinelli
An innocent Jesus has been condemned to death and now must carry the cross on which He will die. The cross is heavy from the wood and from the weight of our sins. Jesus takes up the cross willingly to take away our sins and ease our burdens. He takes it up out of love. Together, let us pray…
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross,
You have redeemed the world.
At this station, we are reminded how Jesus joyfully accepted an immense amount of suffering upon His shoulders to take away all past, present, and future sins. My sins.
Perhaps in few places of our modern life are we burdened with the “weight of a heavy cross” as Jesus was. However, there are many, many times when Jesus asks “heavily weighted” things of us each day. Usually they come when I can least handle them or sometimes while praying for strength to endure other “weighty” hardships.
Do I assist others in lightening or do I add to the weight of the cross that they have accepted for Him?Am I accepting the crosses positioned in my life humbly and joyfully to be in union with Him?
During this Lenten season, can I hone my ability to say yes to those crosses I have not yet accepted?
Lord, please allow me the clarity of vision to see the cross You want me to bear, the willingness of heart to immediately take it up, and the strength to accept all hardships joyfully for You!
The Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time.
Reflection written by Danny DiPasquale
Jesus has been cruelly mocked, spit upon, and scourged. He is exhausted, tired, and bleeding. He is weakened from the long night, the torture, and the cruel treatment. He now carries the cross on which he will be nailed to when he reaches Calvary. The heavy weight is too much for Him to bear. He has been carrying the cross up the hill, but because of the loss of blood, he struggles to continue. He falls on the cobblestone pavement and suffers much. His pain is very real, and yet, He carries the burden with a heart of love for us. Together, let us pray…
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross,
You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, our sins have made you endure so much pain, but you continue to walk and be obedient to God, the Father, so we could have eternal life with him. You suffered much for me and all those whom You created. You wanted to show us the depth of your love by carrying our sins and nailing them to the cross forever. You paid the ultimate price to save and return us to the Father. Your suffering is so real, and my heart aches to know that You did so much for me! Help me to realize that I, too, will endure much pain in this life because I am misunderstood, forgotten, neglected, or rejected by those around me. Help me to find the love you have for all of us this Lenten season, so my Easter can be a glorious one in remembering all the suffering was for the betterment of my life and the lives of all who choose to follow you.
The Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Mother.
Reflection written by Ida DiPasquale
Jesus has been carrying His cross for some time, and He continues to grow weaker each second. His blood flows all over the ground around Him, and He tries to move forward. His beloved Mother comes to comfort Him. She reaches out her arms of love, just as she did for Him when He was a child, to give Him the strength He needs to carry His burden. He is saddened to see His mother in such sorrow, but He shows her His strength is renewed in her care and love for Him. Mary knows a pain that only a mother can know...to lose your only Child. But she tries to show a strong exterior to let her son know she is there for Him. She will ponder all this in her heart for days and years to come. It is a sad but also rewarding moment to see her son carry out the mission He was called to do. Together, let us pray…
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross,
You have redeemed the world.
Mary, you know what it is to be a truly devoted mother. You felt the pain of childbirth, raising a child, and also the love and joy that come with raising a son – a son who would be our salvation. You stood by His side no matter what the cost. As a mother I would give up my life for my child and you would have also, but yet that option was not opened to you.
You chose to walk with Jesus to Calvary to show Him you believed in what He was doing was right, even when it broke your heart in pieces. Your presence and friendly face must have been a comfort for Jesus. I, too, when in pain or in anguish, looked for my mother’s love and her arms to embrace me. Again this option was not opened to you. This Lenten season, help me to know your strength and courage to pick myself up, just as your son did, to carry the burden of my sins to Him at Calvary, and to know He forgives me every moment of every day. Be my strength and help in this time of renewal and courage.
The Fifth Station: Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross.
Reflection written by Steve Niblett
Jesus is exhausted. He has been scourged and beaten and now he is forced to carry the great burden of the Cross to Calvary. Jesus’ strength is failing, as is his body. The weight of the heavy wooden cross is too much, Jesus stumbles and falls. The rough wood of the Cross gouges his already bleeding skin. Jesus tries to rise, but his body is already pushed beyond endurance. The Roman guards realize that Jesus will not be able to carry the Cross without help. The Roman guards are concerned that Jesus might die before he can be crucified. It is then that the Roman guards force Simon of Cyrene, out of the crowd, to carry the Cross for Jesus. Simon saw Jesus was bruised and bleeding and quickly picked up the cross for him. Simon carried the cross for Jesus. They moved on with Jesus following Simon. Together, let us pray…
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross,
You have redeemed the world.
When Jesus and Simon’s eyes met what did each one think? Jesus must have been thankful that Simon would help him. Did Simon know who Jesus was? Simon went to Jesus’ aid. Even though it may not have been voluntary, it still helps us to understand that we all have a responsibility to carry our crosses, as well as to help others carry their crosses. We are also made aware, through Simon’s act, that we are responsible to carry on the work of Jesus. God needs all of us to do our small parts in this life as part of the body of Christ. If we each do our part, if we dedicate ourselves to assisting Jesus in his work of caring for one another, loving one another, and helping one another, we are helping Jesus to build the Kingdom of God.
Are there times when we are afraid to help others? Times when we feel we do not want to get involved? Are there times when we need help ourselves but are too afraid to ask for it? We all struggle with these very human questions. All we have to remember is that our compassion for our brothers and sisters, no matter how insignificant we may think it may be, is really what Jesus asks of us each and every day.
Dear Jesus, let me learn by your example, to extend genuine kindness and caring to each person I meet. Let me offer the warm hug or the kind word when it is needed. Let me assist you in your work of redemption so that each person I meet experiences your love through me.
The Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus.
Reflection written by Candace Niblett
Jesus continues to struggle on the road to Calvary. Jesus, beaten and bloody, is no longer able to carry his cross. Each footstep our beloved Jesus takes is agony. Veronica is watching Jesus from the crowd. Her heart is breaking as she watches Jesus suffering. What can she do to help Jesus? Suddenly she knows what she must do. Veronica runs ahead of the crowd and through the Roman guards all around Jesus. Veronica, overwhelmed by devotion and compassion, runs to Jesus and offers her veil to him. Gently, Veronica wipes his bloody face. She only had moments with Jesus to offer him this small comfort. Veronica could have been injured by the crowd or killed by the Roman guards. Veronica made the decision to help Jesus no matter what the cost. Together, let us pray…
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross,
You have redeemed the world.
What did Veronica see in Jesus’ eyes that moment? I am sure that Veronica saw thankfulness in Jesus’ eyes, thankful for her love and her kindness. What did Jesus see in Veronica’s eyes at that moment they met? I am sure Jesus saw a Faithful follower whose belief in him gave her strength and courage.
Veronica’s act of kindness is an example for all of us. Veronica demonstrated grace and strength under pressure. Veronica’s unselfish actions serve as a beautiful reminder of the way followers of Jesus should behave. We are called to be the protectors and guardians of our fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus. We must see past our own trials and burdens, to help those around us. We must put the needs of others ahead of our own needs. We have to live the message of Jesus which is love and mercy, as described in the Gospels.
Veronica teaches us to have a tender heart. A tender heart is a heart that is always open and listening. A tender heart is a heart dedicated to Jesus and ready to help others.
Dear Jesus, there are times when I see someone who is being picked on. There are times when I see someone who is sad. Just as Veronica wiped your face to comfort you, please help me to always come to the aid of others in any way that I can.
Dear Jesus, give me the strength not to be afraid to help someone, but instead to run to help, as Veronica did, with no thought of self. Let me have your tender heart of compassion and caring. Let me spread your message of love and forgiveness, Jesus, to all whom you place upon my journey home to you.
Let me see you, Jesus, in each person that I meet.
The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time.
Reflection written by Eric Roberson
Jesus’ pain is unbearable and He falls a second time. Lying on the ground, maybe Jesus wants to give up, but He is forced to continue. His love for us gives Him the strength to keep going. Together, let us pray…
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross,
You have redeemed the world.
Jesus is human.
He bled from the lashings and crown of thorns. He grew tired and weak to the point of falling with the cross representing the burden of our sins. Jesus was carrying the world on His shoulders just like the legend of Atlas. Yet he did not curse and lash out against His tormentors.
Jesus is God.
My mind grows weak from a long day wearing many hats: disciple, father, husband, teacher, homeowner, citizen, etc. My body grows weak from being on its feet most of the day and on its seat for hours commuting to and from work. These are the nights that I fall, like Jesus. I fall to complete the ‘honey do’ list. I fall to truly listen to my loving wife. I fall in my patience for the attention needs of our sweet 6 year old boy. I fall to complete all preparations for my students.
When I fall, there is a big Grumpy Dwarf that takes over my body. Thus, I fall as a disciple. I am a human who is eternally grateful for Jesus’ modeling of how to behave, of how to love.
Dear Jesus, I will fall again, as You did on the road to Calvary. When I fall, please help me to be like You.
The Eighth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem.
Reflection written by Ronni Rose
Jesus continues His journey to the cross. His friends have deserted Him, His body is failing Him, His dignity is diminishing. Along the way, Jesus meets a group of women. They have not abandoned Him. As Jesus sheds His blood, they shed their tears. Despite His own pain, Jesus stops to console these women. Selfless to the end, He gives them His comfort. Together, let us pray…
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross,
You have redeemed the world.
Throngs of people surround Jesus as He struggles to carry His cross. Some are jeering and cheering – those who have condemned Him. The Women of Jerusalem, however, are grief stricken and weeping. Jesus stops to comfort them.
Jesus, faint, bruised and broken, speaks to console the women. Our Jesus is compassionate to them, in spite of his own suffering.
Dear Jesus, Help me to follow your example, to view others with empathy as they are in need.
Sometimes I fear I do not realize or ignore the needs of others.
Dear Jesus, help me to be aware of others even when I am busy or pre occupied with my own life and needs.
The Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time.
Reflection written by Peter Terrafranca