As we reflect on our theme, let us
begin this Lenten season walking with Mary’s suffering as she watched her Son.
First Station: Jesus is
Condemned to Die
Reader
It was early Friday
morning when I saw my Son. That was the first glimpse I had of Him since they
took Him away. His bruised and bleeding skin sent a sword of pain deep into my
heart and tears down my cheeks. Then Pilate, from his chair of judgment, asked
the crowd why they wanted my Son executed. All around me they shouted, “Crucify
him!” I wanted to plead with them to stop, but I knew this had to be. So I
stood by and cried silently.
Reader:
Lord Jesus, it is hard
for me to imagine the anguish your mother felt at your condemnation. But what
about today, when I hold a grudge…? “Crucify him!”
“When I judge others…?
“Crucify him!” Doesn’t this bring tears of anguish to both you and your mother?
Forgive me, Jesus.
Second Station: Jesus
Takes His Cross
Reader:
Regaining a little
strength, I walked with the crowds to the entrance of the square.
A door flew open and my
Son stumbled out, the guards laughing behind Him.
Two men dragged over a
heavy wooden cross and dropped it on His shoulders.
Then they shoved Him
down the road. My pain for Him was unbearable.
I wanted to take the
cross from Him and carry it myself.
But I knew this had to
be, so I walked on silently.
Reader:
Lord Jesus, I beg you to
forgive me for the many times I have added more weight to Your cross by closing
my eyes to the pain and loneliness of my neighbour.
Forgive me for gossiping
about others and for always trying to find excuses to avoid certain people who
wish to talk with me. Help me to be like Mary, always seeking to lighten the
crosses of others. Forgive me, Jesus.
Third Station: Jesus Falls the First
Time
Reader:
I followed close behind my Son as He
stumbled toward Calvary.
Nothing had ever hurt me more than
to see Him in such pain.
I saw the cross digging into His
shoulders. My heart dropped when I saw Him fall face to the ground, the heavy
cross landing squarely on His back. For a moment I thought my beloved Son was
dead. Now, my whole body began to tremble. Then the guards kicked Him. He rose
slowly and began to walk again, yet they still whipped Him.
I wanted to protect Him with my own
body. But, I knew this had to be, so I walked on and wept silently.
Reader:
Lord, how often have I seen You
fall, and, unlike Mary, have left You there without concern? How often have I
seen people make mistakes and laughed at them?
How often do I find myself getting
angry when someone does things differently than I? Mary offered You her support
through your entire passion. Help me to do the same for You by the support I
give to others. Lord, have mercy on me.
Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His
Grieving Mother
Reader:
I
had managed to break through the crowd and was walking side by side with my
Son.
I
called to Him through the shouting voices. He stopped. Our eyes met, mine full
of tears of anguish, His full of pain and confusion. I felt helpless; then His
eyes said to me, “Courage! There is a purpose for this.” As He stumbled on, I
knew He was right.
So
I followed and prayed silently.
Reader:
Lord
Jesus, forgive me the many times our eyes met and I turned mine away.
Forgive
me the times things did not go my way and I let everyone know about it.
Forgive
me the times I brooded over little inconveniences or became discouraged and did
not heed Your call to courage! Yes, Lord, our eyes have met many times but
fruitlessly.
Fifth
Station: Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
Reader:
I
could now see almost complete helplessness on the face of my Son as He tried to
carry His heavy load. Each step looked as if it would be His last. I felt His
every pain in my heart and I wanted the whole thing to end. Then I noticed some
commotion near Jesus. The guards and pulled a protesting man from the crowd.
They forced Him to pick up the back of the cross to help lighten my Son’s load.
He asked the guards why this had to be. I knew, and so followed silently.
Reader:
Lord
Jesus, I have many times refused to help You. I have been a selfish person who
has often questioned your word. Don’t let me remain like Simon, but help me to
be like Your mother, Mary, who always silently followed and obeyed.
Sixth
Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Reader:
As
I continued close by Jesus, a woman pushed past the guards took off her veil
and began to wipe my Son’s sweating, bloody face. The guards immediately pulled
her back. Her face seemed to say, “Why are you doing this to him?” I knew, so I
walked on in faith, silently.
Reader:
Lord,
this woman gave You the best she could. On the other hand, I have wanted to
take more than I give. So many opportunities arise every day for me to give to
You by giving to others—but I pass them by. My Saviour, never let me ask why
again, but help me to give all I have to You.
Seventh
Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time
Reader:
Again
my Son fell, and again my grief was overwhelming at the thought that He might
die.
I
started to move toward Him, but the soldiers prevented me. He rose and stumbled
ahead slowly. Seeing my Son fall, get up again, and continue on, was bitter
anguish to me. But, since I knew this had to be, I walked on silently.
Reader:
Lord,
of all people Mary was Your most faithful follower, never stopping in spite of
all the pain she felt for You. I have many times turned away from You by my
sins and have caused others to turn away from You. I beg You to have mercy on
me.
Eighth
Station: Jesus Speaks to the Women
Reader:
I
was walking a few steps behind Jesus when I saw Him stop. Some women were there
crying for Him and pitying Him. He told them not to shed tears from Him. They
had the opportunity to accept Him as the messiah; like many others, they
rejected Him instead. He told them to shed tears for themselves, tears that
would bring their conversion. They did not see the connection between that and
His walk to death. I did, and as He walked on, I followed silently.
Reader:
My
Saviour, many times have I acted like these women, always seeing the faults of
others and pitying them. Yet, very rarely have I seen my own sinfulness and
asked Your pardon. Lord, You have taught me through these women. Forgive me,
Lord, for my blindness.
Ninth
Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time
Reader:
This
fall of Jesus was agony to me. Not only had He fallen on the rocky ground
again, but now He was almost at the top of the hill of crucifixion. The
soldiers screamed at Him and abused Him, almost dragging Him the last few
steps. My heart pounded as I imagined what they would do to Him next. But, I
knew this had to be, so I climbed the hill silently behind Him.
Reader:
My
loving Jesus, I know that many times I have offered my hand to help people but
when it became inconvenient or painful to me I left them, making excuses for
myself.
Help
me, Lord, to be like Your mother, Mary, and never take my supporting hand away
from those who need it.
Tenth
Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
Reader:
With
my Son finally relieved of the weight of the cross, I thought He would have a
chance to rest. But the guards immediately started to rip His clothes off His
blood-clotted skin. The sight of my Son in such pain was unbearable. Yet, since
I knew this had to be, I stood by and cried silently.
Reader:
Lord,
in my own way I too have stripped You. I have taken away the good name of
another by foolish talk, and have stripped people of human dignity by my
prejudice.
Jesus,
there are so many ways I have offered You through the hurt I have caused
others. Help me to see You in all people.
Eleventh
Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Reader:
As
they threw Jesus on the cross, He willingly allowed Himself to be nailed. As
they punctured His hands and His feet I felt the pain in my heart. Then they
lifted up the cross. There He was, my Son, whom I love so much, being scorned
as He struggled for the last few moments of earthly life. But I knew this had
to be, so I stood by and prayed silently.
Reader:
Lord,
what pain You endured for me. And what pain Your mother went through, seeing
her only Son die for love of me! Yet, both You and she are ready to forgive me
as soon as I repent of my sin. Help me, Lord, to turn away from my sinfulness.
Twelfth
Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross
Reader:
What
greater pain is there for a mother than to see her Son die right before her
eyes!
I,
who had brought this Saviour into the world and watch Him grow, stood
helplessly beneath His cross as He lowered His head and died. His earthly
anguish was finished, but mine was greater than ever. Yet, this had to be and I
had to accept it, so I stood by and I mourned silently.
Reader:
My
Jesus, have mercy on me for what my sins have done to You and to others.
I
thank You for Your great act of love. You have said that true love is laying
down your life for your friends. Let me always be Your friend. Teach me to live
my life for others, and not fail You again.
Thirteenth
Station: Jesus is Taken From the Cross
Reader:
The
crowd had gone; the noise had stopped. I stood quietly with one of Jesus’
friends and looked up at the dead body of our Saviour, my Son.
Then
two men took the body from the cross and placed it in my arms. A deep sorrow
engulfed my being. Yet, I also felt deep joy. Life had ended cruelly for my
Son, but it had also brought life to all of us. I knew this had to be, and I
prayed silently.
Reader:
Lord,
Your passion has ended. Yet, it still goes on whenever I choose sin over You.
I
have done my part in Your crucifixion and now, my Saviour, I beg Your
forgiveness with all my heart. Help me to live a life worthy of You and Your
mother.
Fourteenth
Station: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb
Reader:
We
brought Jesus’ body to a tomb and I arranged it there myself, silently weeping,
silently rejoicing. I took one more look at my loving Son, and then walked out.
They
closed the tomb and before I left, I thought, I knew this had to be…it had to
be for you! I would wait in faith silently.
Reader:
Yes,
my Lord, this had to be because You love me, and for no other reason. All You
ask is that I live a good life. You never said such a life would be easy. I am
willing to leave sin behind and live for You alone, in my brothers and sisters.
Fifteenth
Station: Jesus is Raised From the Dead
Reader:
I
could only be most grateful for the sacrifice of my Son for us. Yet, what
emptiness I felt trying to live without Him whom I loved so! But, only two days
later that emptiness was filled beyond belief—He had risen! Our Saviour had
opened the doors to a new life. That is the way it had to be—because His
undying love for you would not stop at anything less. I could rejoice forever,
but not in silence.
Reader:
My
Saviour, thank you! Thank you for such endless love that helps me to rise out
of my own sinfulness. I will try again to live a better life. Help me to always
remember that love. Mary, mother of our risen Saviour, teach me to be like you,
and in my love for others, love Him in return.
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