April 2, 2009

Online Stations of the Cross

Station Eight: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children."
Luke 23:27,28

Why did women follow Jesus? Because he gave them back the dignity with which they had been created. Jesus treated women as intelligent and capable persons. He flew in the face of custom and spoke with them as one soul to another.

On this day, Jesus met the women of Jerusalem, who knew more than most what it meant to suffer. They knew what it meant to be falsely accused. They knew oppression in many forms.

On his way to the cross, Jesus found supporters in a group that were, at that time, downtrodden.

Almighty Father, whose beloved Son Jesus suffered the agony of crucifixion: give us the strength to stand at the foot of the cross as did the women on Calvary so long ago; in the name of your Beloved, our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave is life for us and for our salvation.

Holy God
Holy and Mighty
Holy Immortal One
Have mercy upon us.

Station Nine: Jesus falls a third time

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

The falling continues on this long journey down the Via Dolorosa. The weight of the world settles upon Jesus’ battered shoulders. One step more...one step more, on the way to giving his life in the jarring experience of crucifixion.

What hands helped Jesus to his feet? A rough guard? A kind onlooker? A questioning passer-by? Who helped him stand to continue on his despairing way?

God’s love is most often received through the hands of another person. Each time we reach out to help someone up, we hold Christ in our arms.

There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven;
There is no place where earth’s failings have such kindly judgment given.
There is plentiful redemption in the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members in the sorrow of the Head.
 
For the love of God is broader than the measure of the mind;
And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful, we should take him at his word;
And our life would be thanksgiving for the goodness of the Lord.

Holy God
Holy and Mighty
Holy Immortal One
Have mercy upon us.

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