FROM THE BOUNDARY
For the next two Sundays, I want to reflect with you on the ‘Way of the Cross’, the devotion of pilgrims retracing the 14 ‘Stations’ of the Via Dolorosa, the journey of tears from the Praetorium in Jerusalem, where Jesus was condemned by Pilate, to the crucifixion at Calvary. The practice arose in the Middle Ages but, of course, we’re all
familiar with it in our Lenten prayers. Churches have plaques of the ‘Stations’ on their walls – and some here are very fine indeed – as I do at home in my Chapel of
St Francis and the Angels.
The ‘Stations’ ever have a contemporary relevance. All of us are subject to sickness and death; and all of us too are confronted daily by challenges, and unexpected gifts, which speak to the kind of people we are, and which are not wholly dissimilar to Jesus’ own on his final journey. They tell us that we’re ever bigger than our wounds.
My brief reflections begin with a Biblical reference with a précis of the substance; an exegesis follows; and finally there’s a little prayer.
Station 1: Jesus is condemned to death
Pilate: ‘But what’s he done?’ No answer – just ‘Kill him! Kill him!’ So Pilate released a murdering thug and condemned the Holy One (Luke 23:22-25).
The crowd: everyone and no one. Are YOU the crowd? Just followers? Won’t YOU speak up? Won’t YOU say ‘No! Enough!’? Are right, goodness and truth such pitiful things to you? Are you on the side of the thug? Surely there’s one of you who’ll say something? When Life demands justice, compassion, mercy, forgiveness – will you scream ‘Crucify’? Have things really changed?
God in my soul, lead me to ask the right questions, and know that it’s only foolishness which neither thinks nor doubts. Spare me the crowd, Lord.
Station 2: Jesus receives his cross
Jesus said ‘If you want to be mine, take up your cross and follow me.’ (Mark 8: 34-35)
Jesus accepted his cross without complaint, all the burdens and bounties of life. He knew that appearances are often illusions obscuring the reality of things – even the most wonderful things which liberate our hearts. At first there seems only pain and humiliation, but in time they’re vanquished by hope, joy, resurrection and new life.
God in my soul, give me the grace to look back on my life and find there your everlasting arms of love.
Station 3: Jesus falls the first time
‘He bore all our sicknesses and yet we thought God had struck him down.’ (Is. 53:4)
In falling, Jesus was never less than He was – and neither are we when we fall. How wonderful to be able to fall with Him, to have the courage to understand that our brokenness is not rejection but the call to follow Him, to know that love is ever stronger than fear, stronger than death. Jesus, we trust in you.
God in my soul, help me to know that falling is not failing but just the beginning.
Station 4: Jesus meets his Mother
Simon said to Mary: ‘Though a sword will pierce your soul, yet your child will be a sign to the world.’ (Luke 2:34-35)
Daily we see mothers with babes in their arms, so many with no Joseph to stand with them. Who knows how these babes will touch the world. Who knows the pain and joy of their mothers. Would they know that Mary is ever with them, that we’re all children of Mary, as they search the winding path of life. Love, and ever
show yourselves to be mothers.
God in my soul, help us know that we’re never alone no matter what the world brings; and bless the angelic messengers, Mummy Alison with little Atavio in her arms, who greeted me in the coffee shop just as I’d finished writing this.
Station 5: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his cross
A passer-by was ordered to carry the cross behind Jesus (Luke 23:26).
A stranger encounters the divine as we do daily if only we understood. Eternity calls to love all who are strangers to each other. When we meet, what is God saying to us?
God in my soul, wherever there’s a cross to be carried give me the grace and strength to carry it for myself or another.
Station 6: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
He seemed like a nobody. There was nothing to tell us who He was (Is 53:2-3).
Veronica, a nobody – very-much like the rest of us, pushed through the crowd and wiped His face – just simple charity like holding a door for someone. If appearances didn’t matter to her, why do they matter so much to us?
God in my soul, help me see the face of Jesus in the face of everyone.
Station 7: Jesus falls the second time
He was unjustly condemned and the Lord allowed it (Is 53: 8, 10).
Like children, we fall every day. Despite our clumsiness, we pick ourselves up. We keep striving, fighting. We carry on knowing all will be well.
God in my soul, never leave my heart nor loose my hands, and in your love let me ever use them to help lift others when they fall, knowing that we’re all children who fall often.
Go safely, then – until the next time.