The Stations
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
[Luke 9:23]
FIRST STATION
Jesus is condemned to death
Scripture: Matthew 27:20-24
Story: Jesus stands in the most human of places. He has already experienced profound solidarity with so many on this earth, by being beaten and tortured. Now he is wrongfully condemned to punishment by death. His commitment to entering our lives completely begins its final steps. He has said “yes” to God and placed his life in God’s hands. We follow him in this final surrender, and
contemplate with reverence each place along the way, as he is broken and given for us.
Prayer: Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation: As I view the scene, I become moved by both outrage and gratitude. I look at Jesus. His face, the crown of thorns, the blood, His clothes stuck to the wounds on his back. Pilate washes his hands of the whole affair.
Jesus’ hands are tied behind his back. This is for me that I might be free that I might have eternal life.
As the journey begins I ask to be with Jesus, to follow his journey. I express my love and thanks.
SECOND STATION
Jesus carries his cross
Scripture: Mark 15: 16-20
Story: Jesus is made to carry the cross on which he will die.It represents the weight of all our crosses. What he must have felt as he first took it upon his shoulders! With each step he enters more deeply into our human experience. He walks in the path of human misery and suffering, and experiences its crushing weight.
Prayer: Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross of our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Meditation: I contemplate the wood of that cross. I imagine how heavy it is. I reflect upon all it means that Jesus is carrying it. I look into his eyes. It’s all there. This is for me. So I place myself with him in this journey, in its anguish, in his freedom and surrender, in the love that must fill his heart. With sorrow and gratitude, I continue the journey. Moved by the power of his love, I am drawn to him and express my love in the words that come to me.
THIRD STATION
Jesus falls for the first time
Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11
Story: The weight is unbearable. Jesus falls under it. How could he enter our lives completely without surrendering to the crushing weight of the life of so many on this earth! He lays on the ground and knows the experience of weakness beneath unfair burdens. He feels the powerlessness of wondering if he will ever be able to continue. He is pulled up and made to continue.
Prayer: Pause and rest in silence.
Meditation: I stare at the weakness in his eyes. I can look at his whole body and see the exhaustion. As I behold him there on the ground, being roughly pulled up, I know forever how profoundly he understands my fatigue and my
defeats. This is for me. In grief and gratitude I want to let him remain there. As I watch him stand again and gain an inner strength, I accept his love and express my thanks.
FOURTH STATION
Jesus meets his mother
Scripture: John 19:25-27
Story: Jesus’ path takes him to a powerful source of his strength to continue. All his life, his mother had taught him the meaning of the words, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord.” Now they look into each other’s eyes. How pierced-
through her heart must be! How pained he must be to see her tears! Now, her grace-filled smile blesses his mission and stirs his heart to its depth. Love and trust in God bind them together.
Prayer: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Meditation: As I watch them in this place along the way, I contemplate the mystery of love’s power to give strength. She knows the sorrow in every mother’s heart who has lost a child to tragedy or violence. I look at the two of them very carefully and long for such love and such peace. This is for me, such incredible freedom, the availability of a servant. I find the words to express what is in my heart.
FIFTH STATION
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross
Scripture: Luke 23:26
Story: Jesus even experiences our struggle to receive help. He is made to experience the poverty of not being able to carry his burden alone. He enters into the experience of all who must depend upon others to survive. He is deprived of the satisfaction of carrying this burden on his own.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, whose most dear Son, as He walked the way of The Cross, accepted the service of Simon of Cyrene to carry his physical burden for him: grant us each the grace gladly to bear one another's burdens, for the love of him who said, "As you did it to the least of these my brethren, you did it to me," your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Meditation: I look into his face and contemplate his struggle, His weariness and fragility, His impotence. I see how he looks at Simon, with utmost humility and gratitude.
Knowing this is for me I feel anguish and gratitude. I express my thanks that he can continue this journey with help. I realize he knows my inability to carry my burden alone. With deep emotion I share what is in my heart with Jesus.
SIXTH STATION
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Scripture: Isaiah 53:2-5
Story: Jesus’ journey is at times brutal. He has entered into the terrible experiences of rejection and injustice. He has been whipped and beaten. His face shows the signs of his solidarity with all who have ever suffered injustice and vile, abusive treatment. He encounters a compassionate, loving disciple who wipes the vulgar spit and mocking blood from his face. On her veil, she discovers the image of his face – his gift to her, and, for us to contemplate forever.
Prayer: Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Meditation: What does the face of Jesus hold for me? What do I see, as I look deeply into his face? Can I try to comfort the agony and pain? Can I embrace him, with his face so covered with his passion?
The veil I behold is a true icon of his gift of himself. This is for me. In wonder and awe, I behold his face now wiped clean, and see the depth of his suffering in solidarity with all flesh.
SEVENTH STATION
Jesus falls the second time
Scripture: Isaiah 53:6-7
Story: Even with help, Jesus stumbles and falls to the ground. In deep exhaustion he stares at the earth beneath him. “Remember, you are dust and to dust you will return.” He has seen death before. Now he can feel the profound weakness of disability and disease and aging itself, thereon his knees, under the weight of his cross.
Prayer: Pause and rest in silence.
Meditation: I contemplate Jesus brought very low. As I behold him there on the ground, with all the agony taking its toll on him, I let my heart go out to him. I store up this image in my heart, knowing that I will never feel alone in
my suffering or in any diminishment, with this image of Jesus on the ground before me.
This is for me, and I feel emotion overwhelm my heart.
EIGTH STATION
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
Scripture: Luke 23:27-31
Story: The women of Jerusalem, and their children, come out to comfort and thank him. They had seen his compassion and welcomed his words of healing and freedom. He had broken all kinds of social and religious conventions to connect with them. Now they are here to support him. He feels their grief. He suffers, knowing he can’t remain to help them more in this life. He knows the
mystery of facing the separation of death.
Prayer: Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of
Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.
Meditation: I look at their faces so full of love and gratitude, loss and fear. I contemplate what words might have passed between them. I remember all his tender, compassionate, merciful love. I place myself with these women and children to support him.
This is for me. So, I let this scene stir up deep gratitude.
NINTH STATION
Jesus falls a third time
Scripture: Lamentations 3:1, 2, 5-8, 16, 19
Story: This last fall is devastating. Jesus can barely proceed to the end. Summoning all this remaining strength supported by his inner trust in God, Jesus collapses under the weight of the cross. His executioners look at him as a broken man, pathetic yet paying a price he deserves. They help him up so he can make it up the hill of crucifixion.
Prayer: Pause and rest in silence.
Meditation: I pause to contemplate him there on the ground: The brokenness that makes me whole; the surrender that gives me life. I pause to experience and receive how completely he loves me. He is indeed completely poured out for me.
As I treasure this gifted experience, I express what is in my heart.
TENTH STATION
Jesus’ clothes are taken away
Scripture: John 19:23-24
Story: Part of the indignity is to be crucified naked. Jesus is completely stripped of any pride. The wounds on his back are torn open again. He experiences the ultimate vulnerability of the defenseless. No shield or security protects him. As they stare at him, his eyes turn to heaven.
Prayer: O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that
separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation: I pause to watch the stripping. I contemplate all that is taken from him and how he faces his death with such nakedness. I reflect upon how much of himself he has revealed to me holding nothing back.
As I look at him in his humility, I know that this is for me, and I share my feelings of gratitude.
ELEVENTH STATION
Jesus is nailed to the cross
Scripture: Mark 15:22-28
Story: Huge nails are hammered through his hands and feet to fix him on the cross. He is bleeding much more seriously now. As the cross is lifted up, the weight of his life hangs on those nails. Every time he struggles to pull himself up to breathe, his ability to cling to life slips away.
Prayer: O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen
Meditation: I make myself watch the nails being driven through his flesh. And I watch his face. I contemplate the completeness of his entry into our lives. Can there be any pain or agony he would not understand?
This is for me, nailed to a cross to forever proclaim liberty to captives. What sorrow and gratitude fill my heart!
TWELFTH STATION
Jesus dies on the cross
Scripture: Mark 15:33-37
Story: Between two criminals, a mocking title above his head, with only Mary and John and Mary Magdalene to support him, Jesus surrenders his last breath: “Into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Prayer: Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Meditation: I stand there, at the foot of the cross, side by side with all of humanity, and behold our salvation. I carefully watch and listen to all that is said. And then, I experience the one who gives life pass from life to death, for me. I console Mary and John and Mary. And let them console me.
This is the hour to express the deepest feelings within me.
THIRTEENTH STATION
The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross
Scripture: Lamentations 2:11-12
Story: What tender mourning! Jesus’ lifeless body lies in his mother’s arms. He has truly died...A profound sacrifice, complete.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen.
Meditation: I behold this scene at the foot of the cross. I contemplate touching, caressing his body. I remember all his hands have touched, all who have been blessed by his warm embrace. I pause to let it soak in. He knows the mystery of death. He has fallen into God’s hands.
That I might love as I have been loved. I pour out my heart to the God of all mercies.
FOURTEENTH STATION
Jesus is laid in the tomb
Scripture: Matthew 27:57-60
Story: They take the body of Jesus to its resting place. The huge stone over the tomb is the final sign of the permanence of death. In this final act of surrender, who would have imagined this tomb would soon be empty or that Jesus would show himself alive to his disciples, or that they would recognize him in the breaking of bread? Oh, that our hearts might burn within us, as we realize how he had to suffer and die so as to enter into his glory, for us.
Prayer: O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Meditation: I pause to contemplate this act of closure on his life. In solidarity with all humanity, his body is taken to its grave. I stand for a moment outside this tomb. This final journey of his life has shown me the meaning of his gift of himself for me. This tomb represents every tomb I stand before with fear, in defeat, struggling to believe it could ever be empty.