Stations of the Cross
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THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
BY SOPHIE CARTWRIGHT
STATION I
JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH
"Why?" Pilate demanded. "What crime has he committed?" But the mob roared even louder, "Crucify him!"
Mark 15:14
Pilate's Wife
My ears are ringing. The deafening cheers of the mob that has just condemned an innocent man are silent to me, and everything seems to slow down. I watch my husband wash his hands of the man's blood, watch the convicted murderer walk away freely. They drag the Jew away, and I feel like I have failed. I know he was innocent. Why did this happen?
Dear God,
Your beautiful world is not as right as it should be. There are hundreds of thousands of innocent people being condemned by their own oppressive governments. My Lord, these refugees deserve safety and happiness more than anyone. Please, aid them in their treacherous departure.
STATION II
JESUS CARRIES THE CROSS
Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:23
Peter
My guilt is overwhelming as I watch my Lord begin his horrific final journey. I shudder as I remember that I am as susceptible to sin as all other humans; I have condemned him just as much as every sinner. How can we love God and still hurt him so terribly? How did I look Jesus in the eyes after denying him thrice?
Dear God,
You have called us all to bear our crosses. We all have a weight to bear. With this in mind, I implore that you please strengthen my grandmother as she struggles with her condition. Please help me to trust in you and your divine will as I begin to realize others' crosses more and more.
STATION III
JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Isaiah 53:7
One of the Weeping Women:
My heart shatters as I watch him go down. I have to stifle a shriek. I am witnessing the murder and torture of God's only son, sent down to save us. I am appalled at the cries of the people around me. They scream at him to rise again; have they lost all their humanity?
Dear God,
Please, look to the victims of all kinds of abuse. They must have felt their lives fall around them; their worlds crush them under a tremendous weight no one should bear. Help them find solace and comfort in your enduring love, and please remind them of the glory of heaven, so that they may always have a light to look to in their darkest times.
STATION V
SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS
They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.
Mark 15:21
Simon of Cyrene
I remember flashes of the moments before now. Less than a minute ago, I had been passing through the crowd and felt a pang of pity for the wretched soul under the heavy cross. Now, both he and it are on me; his ragged breaths become my own as his blood seeps into my shirt. The guards yell something that sounds like a death threat, but I am too distracted by the man I am carrying to really understand. I suddenly feel as if I am meant to be here, even as I and this poor person weaken with every step.
Dear God,
Please remind us to always prioritize others. We must strive to help any and all we can. I would like to especially alleviate the pain of Coach Po's cross. Please, dear God, help me help him in all the ways I can. I believe that I, with your aid, could perhaps make a difference.
STATION X
JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS CLOTHING
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says,
“They divided my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”
John 19:23-24
John
There is a terrifying kind of stabbing emptiness that comes with watching one's beloved friend undergo heart-wrenching amounts of pain and humiliation when one can do nothing to help. I stood by his side as they mocked and spat and tortured him further. I have never desired to help anyone as much as I so desperately wish I could help Jesus now, but I must submit to God's will.
Dear God,
Please, look to the people who have lost their homes and livelihood to the terrible floods of the unforgiving hurricanes. These people have so suddenly had all that they owned ripped away from them, and are in need of your love and comfort. Please, help them.
STATION XI
JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
John 20:25
One of the Foreign Nail-Drivers
Watching the wretched form of what appears to be a man stagger nearer fills me with dread as I attempt to prepare myself for the horrific duty I have been forced to complete. I barely know where I am, I have no idea what anyone is saying, and now I must drive nails through the already bloodied flesh of this person I have never met. As he lies down on the cross, the soldiers kick me for hesitating. This man must truly be awful, but still, surely no one deserves this. I glance at his face and am shocked to see his eyes shine like the lamb to be slaughtered; there is an unusual resignation to him, as if he believes he is finally fulfilling something.
Dear God,
Just as your Son suffered unjust pain, so Miss Shilean aches with a condition she so little deserves. The IV cuts into her wrist just as the nail cut into Jesus's. Please, remember the suffering of your most wonderful people.
STATION XII
JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS
Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many.
Matthew 27:50-53
The Centurion
For the first time in my life, I am trembling. I stare up at the lifeless form of who must have truly been the Son of God. My world is spinning. What have we done? Who have we truly killed? I trace the earthquake lines with my eyes and fall to my knees. How can this be?
Dear God,
Particularly in their time of great strife, please watch over Father Pete's family. The loss of their loved one will leave them feeling hollow; please let them be filled with your divine love.
STATION XVI
JESUS ASCENDS TO HEAVEN
