|
Justice and Peace Stations of the Cross a journey alongside Jesus as he suffers his Passion
|
RETURN | |||
|
1. Jesus is condemned
No proper evidence; No justification for passing the death sentence. The crowd eager for blood; The self-righteous religious leaders puffed up with pride and hypocrisy; misusing their power and authority; keen to be rid of this trouble-maker who is constantly challenging them. Pilate too scared to do the right thing, trying desperately to distance himself yet unable to wash himself clean of his involvement; Barabbas, guilty as sin, walks free.
How ironic! The only one free of guilt is the one who has to die, condemned by those he came to save.
We see injustice all around us, but how often do we challenge and confront it head-on as Jesus did? Do we have the courage to speak up for those who have no voice, or do we opt for a quiet life, hoping someone else will take charge? Lord, help us to think of others; to place their concerns before our own. Open our eyes to look out for the outcast and the stranger, for it is then that we welcome you.
2. Jesus carries the cross
The wooden cross - an almost unbearable weight; difficult to carry; no easy place to grip hold - the wood rough and jagged; tearing into the flesh; somehow made heavier by the guards’ jeers and harsh treatment.
Betrayed by a kiss; sold for 30 silver coins - the price of friendship comes cheap. Denied three times over by a beloved disciple. Surely too much suffering for one man to bear?
We can be so wrapped up in our own lives that we fail to notice the pain of those around us. Lord, help us to be more aware of the problems that burden our friends, family and all your people, near and far. Open our hearts to their pleas and give us the desire to journey with them and help carry their load.
3. Jesus falls for the first time
Weak from the beatings; pushed roughly along by the soldiers. Stumbling blindly; sprawled on the ground; bloody knees and grazed hands; searing pain. Laughter and more shoving. Yells of: ‘Get yourself up!’ Looking foolish; utterly humiliated; all for our sakes. The God of love.
We all know the embarrassment of falling down and looking a fool in front of others, especially those we want to impress. Lord, grant us the gift of sensitivity that we may act with kindness and compassion to all people. Teach us to love unconditionally and to offer support to others if they stumble or fall.
4. Jesus comes face to face with his mother
Watching and waiting. A helpless bystander, just another face in the crowd. Flashbacks to that first encounter with the angel. Words too mysterious to take on board. A child? How can this be? Joseph’s gentle acceptance. No recriminations; no harsh words. Then the day we almost lost him - an ache tearing my soul in two. Even then he was marked out as special; more God than man: the miracles, signs and wonders. Such love and compassion for the poor and the lonely, the hungry and the outcast. Such love … and now this: the mob braying for his blood - insults, jeers, humiliation. A sword pierces my heart.
Mary accepted God’s plan for her with humility and grace, trusting in his love and guidance. We are used to making decisions and choices based on our own judgement. Lord, grant us the wisdom to recognise that you alone can see the bigger picture. Help us to trust you completely, even when the way ahead seems painful and bleak.
5. Simon of Cyrene helps carry the cross
Keep my head down; stay out of trouble. It’s nothing to do with me. I don’t want to get involved. This guy Jesus seems like a good sort. Can’t work out what they’ve got against him. Better not argue though, not when the guards are waving spears around. My, this cross is some weight - no wonder the poor fellow couldn’t manage it, especially given the beatings he’s had.
How often do we come across unfair situations and say nothing for fear of getting caught up in the crossfire? Lord, take away our uncertainty; make us bolder to act when others need our help, so that, like Simon, we can share their burden as a sign of our solidarity.
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Moved to pity by Jesus’ plight. The crown of thorns digging deep into his forehead: blood and spit mixed together; sweat and tears streaming down. A face so humble and full of compassion. A sudden spontaneous movement; pushing through the crowd; not stopping to think how the soldiers might react; no time to be troubled about her own safety, Veronica gently wipes his face with her veil; eases his suffering with a loving gesture; a small act of kindness in a world bound up in hatred and cruelty.
Do we have the confidence to go against the crowd and make friends with someone who is unpopular or unloved? Like Veronica, does it make us feel better if we are able to do something, however little it may seem, to help someone in need? Lord, give us the strength of purpose to stand up for the truth and not be troubled about the consequences for ourselves.
7. Jesus falls for the second time Another fall; another humiliation. Not wanting to see this thing through; hoping against hope that there might be another way, an easier way; that God would not require such a difficult sacrifice; that this cup will pass me by. But no: I must suffer falls and humiliation to become truly human; to share fully in the utter degradation endured by so many. This way, I can look them in the eye and say: I understand your pain, I am one with you.’
Looking foolish and a failure in front of other people is an absolute nightmare. We cringe for ourselves and for other people when they fall. Lord, inspire us to show true compassion to those who fall in whatever way. Teach us not to be judgemental, but to welcome the opportunity to show your love to them.
8. The women of Jerusalem weep for Jesus
Unbearable suffering; hearts bursting with sorrow; desolation that knows no bounds. A river of tears; Uncontrollable weeping and wailing. ‘O women, weep not for me, Weep rather for yourselves and your families.’ A suffering not understood in human terms. The ultimate sacrifice; the perfect act of love to redeem a fallen world.
In our broken humanity we find it impossible to fully comprehend the depth of Jesus’ love for us – a love so perfect that it knows no bounds. Lord, give us the grace to see through your eyes so that we may respond to the cries of our brothers and sisters with generosity and compassion: to love as you love.
9. Jesus falls for the third time
Yet another fall, this time worse than the two before. Scarcely enough strength to get up again. This agonising pain is almost too much to bear. Truly a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief; bruised and broken; degraded, despised, demoralised; crushed and pitiful. A lamb led to the slaughter, never even opening his mouth.
Sometimes it seems things just can’t get any worse, that you’ve reached rock bottom. And you have to face your problems on your own because no one else really appreciates what you’re going through. Lord, we know that you have promised to always be there for us, no matter what we do. But it can be hard to believe that promise when we feel utterly abandoned and alone. Encourage us to put our trust in you and turn to you in good times and bad.
10. Jesus is stripped of his clothes
Naked and exposed. Nowhere to hide; no way to retain even the smallest scrap of dignity. Teased and taunted; jeered and mocked as a king but now worse than the poorest beggar in the land. Stripped to nothing. All trappings of dignity roughly torn away: the very opposite of worldly power and majesty. Endured so patiently; no word of protest or reproach.
We can hide who we are with our clothes, keeping others at a distance. Stripped bare, all pretence is taken away and we can be seen for who we truly are. Lord, give us the courage to peel away the layers that we have built around ourselves for our own protection. Help us to embrace our vulnerability as a means of coming closer to our brothers and sisters and to you.
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross
Does man’s inhumanity to man know no bounds? Concentration camps; ethnic cleansing; torture; mindless violence; murder; rape; gun crimes on the streets; suffering caused by damage to God’s wonderful creation. A man nailed to a cross. Left to die a slow, agonising death in the heat of the mid-day sun. What super-human reserves of love are required to truly forgive the tormentors? A heart full to overflowing with love and compassion.
How many times do we ‘nail’ Jesus to the cross with our harsh words; our lack of consideration for others; our self-centredness? Lord, help us to overcome the dark side of our natures and to focus on the light so that we may reflect your love in the world around us.
12. Jesus dies
Such a dreadful way to die:
long, drawn out, every breath a new torture. No quick easy bullet or poisoned cup. The mouth on fire with an unbearable thirst: lips parched and dry. A drink is offered - vinegar, not water, bitter tasting and sour; smarting against the cut lips; opening up the wounds; making the blood and pus ooze once again. The bitter vinegar like the bitterness of the mob clamouring for blood. The end is near. The sky darkens. It is finished.
When people let us down and there seems no way forward we can glimpse a little of the suffering Jesus endured in his final moments on the cross. For a moment it seemed as though even God had deserted him, but we know that without Jesus’ death there could be no resurrection and no promise of eternal life. Lord, when the problems of life seem to overwhelm us, remind us that tomorrow will bring a new day, full of new possibilities.
13. Jesus is taken down from the cross
My name’s Joseph. I come from Arimathea - that’s a Jewish town. I’ve been a follower of Jesus for a while now, but secretly. Okay, I didn’t join in with the other members of the Council when they turned against Jesus, but I didn’t exactly do much to stop them. I was too afraid for my own safety. Well, maybe I didn’t stand up for Jesus while he was still alive, but I can do something for him now. I plucked up my courage and asked Pilate for the body. Pilate seemed surprised at the request, but he said ‘yes.’ I think he was already starting to feel guilty: he knew he should never have allowed him to be executed. How often are we bound by what people might think rather than just getting on with doing the right thing? Lord, forgive us for the times when we lack boldness. Give us the courage to act, without worrying about how it may impact us. Take away our hearts of stone and give us hearts of fire that burn with love for you.
14. Jesus is placed in the tomb A hurried burial. A race against time to finish the preparations before the Sabbath begins. Joseph and Nicodemus, both secret disciples, fearful of the Jews, go together to prepare an empty tomb for Jesus’ body; wrap it in a clean burial garment; place it in the tomb and roll a large stone over the entrance to prevent anyone getting in and disturbing it. The faithful group of followers trudge home, their hearts heavy and sad, unsure of what tomorrow may bring.
Joseph and Nicodemus kept the lowest profile of all the disciples and yet they were the ones who took centre stage in the final scene of Jesus’ death. Like them, we may be slow to make a commitment, but God’s patience is boundless - he never gives up on us. Lord, be our inspiration on our journey, that we may work faithfully to bring about your kingdom of love and justice and peace.
© Anne O’Connor 19/2/09 Shrewsbury Diocese J&P Commission on Youth issues.
|
|
