“Pilate again asked them, ‘What am I to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?’ They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!’ Pilate protested, ‘Why? What crime has he committed?’ They only shouted the louder, ‘Crucify him!’ So Pilate, who wished to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and after he had had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.” Mark 15:12-15
During Lent, a most beautiful way to meditate on The Passion of Jesus Christ is to reflect on The Stations of The Cross, and especially to do so on Fridays. I am going to share here a version of The Stations of The Cross from my prayer book, “Blessed Be God,” that can help you to experience them in a very personal way. It is always helpful to have images of each Station to reflect on, but if none are available just picture each in your mind. Then read the meditation, reflect, and pray.
I will post the first two Stations today, and then two at a time over the course of Lent. By Holy Week, you will have all fourteen.
First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death.
Pray: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider, my soul, how Jesus, after having been scourged and crowned with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the cross. My adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate, no, it was my sins that condemned Thee to die. I beseech The, by the merits of this sorrowful journey, to assist my soul in its journey toward eternity. I love Thee, my beloved Jesus; I love Thee more than myself; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.
Second Station: Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross.
Pray: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider how Jesus, in making this journey with the cross on His shoulders, thought of us, and offered for us, to His Father, the death that He was about to undergo. My most beloved Jesus, I embrace all the tribulations that Thou hast destined for me until death. I beseech Thee, by the merits of the pain Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy Cross, to give me the necessary help to carry mine with perfect patience and resignation. I love Thee, Jesus, my love, I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.
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