stations of the cross

(pray while you imagine you are walking with Jesus)

Begin with The Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening scripture reading: "The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously, to be refected, and to be raised up on the third day. If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it." (Luke 9:22-24)

Opening prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be open to your closeness and presence as I begin this journey to Calvary with you. Help me to find in your Passion and Death the strength to take up my cross and follow me.

Before each meditation: I adore you, Lord Jesus, and I praise you. Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

1. Jesus is condemned to death. Lord Jesus, often I judge others and fail to be understanding and loving. Help me to see the people in my life through your eyes, not the eyes of a Pontius Pilate. Our Father........

2. Jesus takes up his cross. Lord Jesus, you embraced your cross to reedem the world. Help me to embrace the crosses in my life-the hardships, struggles, disappointments, pain. Only by recognizing my own weakness, can I discover your strength. Our Father.....

3. Jesus falls for the first time. Lord Jesus, you know how often I fall trying to follow you. Yet you are always there to lift me up. Help me always to trust in your loving care for me. Our Father.....

4. Jesus meets his mother. Lord Jesus, your mother Mary's grief was surpassed by her love for you. So often you come to me in others and their love gives me new life. Help me to see how often you love me through the people in my life. Our Father.......

5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross. Lord Jesus, sometimes I'm indifferent to the needs of others in my life. I even neglect those whom I love. Help me to see that loving others is the surest way to find you in my life. Our Father......

6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. Lor Jesus, at times I am afraid to reach out to others. I do nothing when I should act, I say nothing when I should speak out. Give me a deeper and more courageous faith. Help me to trust that you are with me. Our Father.....

7. Jesus falls for the second time. Lor Jesus, failure and disappointment sometimes lead me to dispair. I hide behind my pride and self-pity, withdrawing from you and others. Give me the hope I need and help me never to be afraid to begin again. Our Father......

8. Jesus consoles the women of Jerusalem. Lord Jesus, your great compassion for others overwhelms me. I feel petty and selfish when I think of you and the way you love. Help me to pour out my love, that you might fill me with your love. Our Father.....

9. Jesus falls for the third time. Lord Jesus, your failing strength makes me see how I am. Without you, I can do nothing. Help me to rely on your strength, to see how much I need you. Our Father....

10. Jesus is stripped of his garments. Lord Jesus, seeing you so cruelly humiliated makes me realize how I cling to my accomplishments, my possessions, my way. Help me to let go of those things in my life that prevent me from growing closer to you and others. Our Father....

11. Jesus is nailed to the cross. Lord Jesus, I can never doubt your great love for me when I see you crucified. Help me to see your cross as the great sign of your love for me. Our Father......

12. Jesus dies on the cross. Lord Jesus, your broken and lifeless body calls me to deeper faith. You chose death, even death on the cross. Help me to see my crosses as way of loving you. Our Father....

14. Jesus is laid in the tomb. Lord Jesus when I see the great stone sealing your tomb, I fell alone and abandoned. Even though you sometimes seem distant or absent in my life, help me always to believe in your closeness and loving presence. Our Father.....

13. Jesus is taken down from the cross. Lord Jesus, seeing your body taken from the cross reminds me how fearful I am of letting go of my own life. I am frightened when I think of being unimportant, useless, helpless. Help me place my life in your hands. Our Father....

15. The resurrection of the Lord. "On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn, they went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, but on entering they discovered that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there. As they stood there not knowing what to think, two men in brilliant clothes suddenly appeared at their side. Terrified, the women lowered their eyes. But the two men said to them, "Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? He is not here; he has risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee; that the Son of Man had to be handed over into the power of sinful men and be crucified, and rise again on the third day?" And they remembered his words. (Luke 24:1-8) Our Father....

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to walk with you each day of my life, even to Calvary. The sorrow and joy, the pain and healings, the failures and triumphs of my life are truly small deaths and resurrections that lead me to closeness with you. Give me faith and trust I need to walk with you always. Amen.

I adore you, Lord Jesus, and I praise you. Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.