Below is a relfection for each of the Stations The Way of the Cross
The way of the cross is a journey made in the Holy Spirit, that divine fire which burned in the heart of Jesus (Lk 12:49-50) and brought him to Calvary. There we wait, believing that though Christ died, Christ is risen, and will come again.
Jesus is condemned to die
‘Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?' But Jesus gave Pilate no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.' Matthew 27:13-14
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the mystery of following Jesus as he is led away?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
Jesus is so strong in his relationship with God that he can stand and be accused without retaliation.
Let us remember all those who are unjustly condemned.
Jesus carries the cross
‘The soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters ... They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him ... After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.' Matthew 27:27 -31
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the struggle of Jesus to carry this heavy cross?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
Jesus is mocked and stripped of his outward dignity but continues to stand firm in his relationship with God.
Let us remember all those who struggle to remain firm in their faith in the midst of persecution.
Jesus falls the first time
‘Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. ... Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: ‘before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.' And he went out and wept bitterly.' Matthew 26:69,75
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about falling away from Jesus?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the suffering people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
Jesus knew the hearts of all his disciples. He carried our burdens on his journey.
Let us remember those who are overburdened and unable to find the support they desperately need.
Jesus meets his mother
While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. ..And pointing to his disciples, Jesus said, ‘here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.' Matthew 12:46-50
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about listening to Jesus?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the suffering people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
Mary was able to walk the way of the cross with her son, not just because she was his mother, but because her heart, like that of her Son's, was always directed to doing the will of God in her life.
Let us remember those parents who see their children in pain.
Simon helps Jesus
‘As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross.' Matthew 27:32
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about seeing Jesus in those who need help?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the suffering people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
Jesus accepts the assistance of unwilling helper as he experiences deeply the weakness in his human body.
Let us remember those who are waiting for us to share their burdens.
Jesus meets Veronica
‘Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. ... Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her. Matthew 26:10-13
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about touching the wounded like Jesus?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the suffering people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
While this event is not recorded in the gospel, tradition says that a woman wiped the face of Jesus as he struggled to the hill of Calvary.
Let us remember those who need our practical care this day.
Jesus falls the second time
‘When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. He said, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.' Matthew 27:3,4
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the betrayal of Jesus?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the suffering people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
The sorrow of a friend's betrayal brings deep sadness to Jesus.
Let us remember those who fall away from Jesus and do not know how to return.
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
‘A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ' Luke 23:27,28
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about being a follower of Jesus?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the suffering people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
Jesus stops on his journey to speak to the women even though the soldiers push him to continue to his death.
Let us remember those unnamed women who care for the needs of others in the name of Jesus.
Jesus falls the third time
‘Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying' ‘You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!' Matthew 27:39,40
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the challenge Jesus gave to his own culture?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the suffering people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
Jesus suffers the taunts of the passersby.
Let us remember those who are derided for their beliefs.
Jesus is stripped of his clothes
‘And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots.' Matthew 27:35
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the way Jesus calmly went to his death?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the suffering people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
Jesus bore the indignity of all outward signs of human dignity being stripped away.
Let us remember all those whose human dignity is degraded by acts of violence.
Jesus is nailed to the cross
‘And when they came to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.'Matthew 27:33
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the agony of the thirst of Jesus?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the suffering people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
Jesus endures the pain of thirst and crucifixion.
Let us remember those who die of thirst of all kinds: physical, spiritual, emotional.
Jesus dies on the cross
‘Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. ... The earth shook, and the rocks were split. ... Now when the centurion and those who with him who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, ‘Truly this man was God's Son.' Matthew 27:50,54
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the effect of the death of Jesus?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the suffering people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
The death of Jesus reaches to the whole of creation.
Let us remember those who will die this day, especially those who die a violent death.
Jesus is taken down from the cross
‘When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.' Matthew 27:57-58
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the poverty and simplicity of Jesus?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the suffering people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
The God of all creation allows his body to be taken and buried in the earth.
Let us remember all those who bury the dead this day.
Jesus is laid in the tomb
Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. Matthew 27:59-61
Spend some time looking at the picture in silence, then read the scripture quote again.
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the finality of the death of Jesus along with the hope of resurrection?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about the suffering people of the world?
What word or image makes you stop and think more about your own suffering?
The grieving women wait in hope, keeping vigil beside the tomb.
Let us remember those who wait in grief for those who are lost.
