From: Bass Mitchell <bassm@va.tds.net>
To: homilies <homilies@egroups.com>
Subject: [homilies] Good Friday April 21 Stations #1
Date: Monday, April 10, 2000 8:33 AM
THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The meditations and collects for these stations of the Cross were written by a high school student named Michael Jackson, who wrote: "Last month I had the greatest experience of my life so far - I portrayed our Lord in my school production of Godspell. After a long period of prayer and contemplation on the man I was to play, I wrote this versions of the Stations as a gift to the rest of the cast, who had never been exposed to the Stations before. As we prepare for Holy Week through Lent, I would like to share these with . . . you . . ."
INTRODUCTION
Our Lord has already endured a night of unbearable pain and humiliation. He has been sentenced to 39 lashes with a Roman scourge - a leather strap with a metal weight on the end that rips the flesh from the back when it hits - but knowing the avagery of the Roman soldiers, He has received many more than His allotted 39. He has been mocked, spit upon, struck from head to toe with cutting reeds. A cap of thorns that covers the entire top half of his head has been made by the soldiers and placed on Him. The wounds from these thorns drip blood down his face which mingles with his sweat and dries there. He has not slept for over 24 hours.
Collect:
O Merciful Savior, grant that while we follow Thy blessed footsteps along this Way of Sorrow, our hearts may be so touched with true contrition that Thou mayest turn our weeping into gladness by giving us remission of all our sins. AMEN.
I. JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R: Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
Meditation:
I stand before Pilate, the Roman Governor. Gone are the reeds and the crown of thorns, but my blood-spattered body cries out from the wounds that remain. The mob of thousands cry "Crucify Him!" I am all alone in this crowd and my friends are all gone. As Pilate condemns me to be crucified, I hear the prophesy fulfilled that the Son of Man will hang from a tree.
Collect:
O Lord, how can you let this Son of a God be condemned to die by this son of a man? The world is full of unjust men and their unjust decisions will be hard for me to obey. But I know that all decisions come from You. My place is not to question those placed over me, my place is to obey them and not to doubt your judgment.
Hymn:
At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful mother weeping
Where he hung, the dying Lord.
II. JESUS RECEIVES THE CROSS
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R: Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
Meditation:
My back has been shredded like paper, and now they place this monstrous piece of wood on my wounds. I can barely walk from the combination of pain and weight on my back. But I must walk, I must carry this chunk of tree to the place where I must die.
Collect:
O, Lord, my life is so unbearable. It is monotonous, unfair, and nothing ever turns out the way I want it to. But before I complain about my suffering, let me remember how you felt when you took that cross onto your shoulders for me. My problems are so small when compared to yours, and I bear them gladly.
Hymn:
For her soul of joy bereaved
Bowed with anguish, deeply grieved,
felt the sharp and piercing sword.
III. JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE CROSS
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R: "Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world."
Meditation:
I have lost so much blood! I am thirsty and my body is racked with pain. For a moment there is darkness and I fall to the ground. Before I can take a breath, the Centurions drag me to my feet and drop the staggering weight of the cross on my back and I am forced to go on.
Collect:
O, Lord, I too must stop and catch my breath, my life is so hard. Irritations, Headaches, Fatigue. They are all handicaps of my humanity. Lift me up with the strength of your hand and let me struggle after you.
Hymn:
O how sad and sore distressed
Now was she, that mother blessed
Of the sole-begotten One.
IV. JESUS MEETS HIS BLESSED MOTHER
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R: "Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world."
Meditation:
Who is this woman who steps into my path now? The guards don't dare force her back. She is my mother. I look into her eyes, his woman who brought me into the world, this figure of beauty. She is strong, she does not cry, but I see her heart torn apart by the sight she sees. The crowd falls silent as we exchange this fleeting glance, and then she steps back into the crowd, and disappears. I continue on.
Collect:
O, Lord, it is so hard to watch the suffering of those we love.
What we would not do to take their pain onto our own shoulders.
But we must be strong, for if we trust in you, all things work for
good.
Hymn:
Deep the woe of her affliction,
When she saw the crucifixion
Of her ever glorious Son.
V. THE CROSS IS LAID ON SIMON OF CYRENE
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R: "Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world."
Meditation:
I simply can't go on! I have lost too much blood! Fearful that their prisoner will be lost to death before they can watch him die on the cross, the Centurions take the cross from my back. They pull a man from the crowd, someone I have never seen before. They say his name is Simon. Grumbling, but fearful of the Roman guards, he takes my cross. Then, his eyes meet mine. He is the only one who sees my eyes this time, the only one who feels the warmth of my gaze. He takes my cross and we continue on.
Collect:
O, Lord, just as I hurt, those around me hurt too. I know that I must help them at all costs. Though it be such a bother to me, how can I turn my back? If I, Simon, help those around me without thought of reward, how great will my reward be.
Hymn:
Who, on Christ's dear mother gazing,
Pierced by anguish so amazing,
Born of woman, would not weep?
VI. ST. VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R: "Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world."
Meditation:
Oh, how I bleed! The drops of blood and sweat fall into my eyes and I can barely see. I stumble and try to wipe the filth from my face and another woman steps out from the crowd. Her name is Veronica. She takes a cloth and presses it to my brow, wiping away some of the blood. The parade has never stopped and she is engulfed by the crowd, but the image of my face remains on that cloth.
Collect:
O, Lord, when those around me suffer and their eyes fill with
tears, give me the power to listen, comfort, and wipe away those
tears. For when I do, I too can see the face of the Christ in all
I do, because I do it out of love for Him.
Hymn:
Who, on Christ's dear mother thinking,
Such a cup of sorrow drinking,
would not share her sorrows deep?
VII. JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R: "Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world."
Meditation:
Once again, my pain is too much for my human body, and I fall to the ground. As the stench of these filthy streets and the angry cries of the mob crush my senses, a Centurion grabs me up and pushes me on my way.
Collect:
O, Lord, I am all alone and the weight of failure and loneliness brings me to my knees. But I am not alone. The one who fell as I fall now will lift me up with His strength and lead me gently on my way.
Hymn:
For his people's sins chastised,
She beheld her son despised,
Scourged, and crowned with thorns entwined.
VIII. THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM MOURN FOR OUR LORD
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R: "Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world
Meditation:
The procession is nearing the edge of the city and I feel death ever nearer. Now three women rush from the crowd and fall, weeping, at my feet. They beg forgiveness for their people. Even in my present state, these women still see me as their Lord and Savior. I take a moment to raise them to their feet and look into their eyes. Yes, their faith has remained strong and they know that their sins are washed clean.
Collect:
O, Lord, I know that I am weak when I should be strong, uncaring when I should be compassionate. But I know that you died for me because you are strong and compassionate, and you have assured me that my sins are forgiven.
Hymn:
Saw him then from judgment taken,
And in death by all forsaken,
Till his spirit he resigned.
IX. JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME UNDER THE CROSS
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee,
R: "Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world."
Meditation:
As we round the corner, I can see the Hill of Skulls, Golgotha, looming above me. How can I climb this Hill, when I am almost too weak to walk? I fall again. This time the soldiers do not help me up. Leaving me for dead, they kick and spit at me in their frustration. But I do rise. Despite my wounds and loss of blood, I do rise, and begin the climb.
Collect:
O, Lord, sometimes I think that defeat has finally come, that I have fallen for the last time. But I know that I too can rise, with your help. No matter what my dark past may be, you are always willing to give me another chance. My trust in you makes me trust in myself.
Hymn:
Jesus, may her deep devotion
Stir in me the same emotion
Fount of love, Redeemer kind;
X. JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R: "Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world."
Meditation:
I have reached the place where I am to die. But my most ultimate humiliation is yet to come. Kneeling, my robe is ripped from my back. I nearly scream out in pain as the fabric that has become embedded in my wounds is torn away. Though I am to be depicted in countless paintings on the cross with a loincloth to cover me, this is not to be. I stand naked before the people that proclaimed me as their King.
Collect:
O, Lord, I strive so hard for worldly possessions. How important they are in my feeble life. But you lost the only worldly possession you ever had - your robe, and saw it gambled for by the men who executed you. I too must throw away all vanity, pride, and position. For in removing these from my life, I usher in your divine Love. Though I be poor in spirit, I am rich in You.
Hymn:
That my heart fresh ardor gaining,
And a purer love attaining,
May with thee acceptance find.
XI. JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R: "Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
Meditation:
How can I describe the agony that I am about to go through? I am laid on the cross. My arms, too weak to resist, are stretched out on either side. They press the spike to my upturned wrist. I see the hammer fall. The pain shoots up my arm and bursts in my brain. If only I could swoon here, but I am not to be spared this pain. Again the hammer falls, and then again. All that I have suffered cannot compare with what I must now go through. The cross is lifted and the full weight of my body is supported by those three spikes.
Collect:
O, Lord, why did you endure all of that for me? I am so pitiful. I'm worthless. Or am I? If you could endure that for me, then the least I can do is accept pain humbly, and without a flinch, for what could compare with what you went through for me? I accept all suffering and agony, for each shot of pain brings me closer to you.
Hymn:
Those five wounds of Jesus smitten,
Mother! in my heart, be written,
Deep as in thine own they be.
XII. JESUS DIES UPON THE CROSS
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R: "Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world."
Meditation:
Even as I hang on this cross, my work is not done. I forgive the thief by my side who can still believe in spite of his suffering. I also forgive my persecutors, for are they not fulfilling my Father's plan? Oh, how I thirst. I have endured the pain and pressed on the nail in my feet to keep from asphyxiating, but my mortal strength simply cannot hold up. "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit." I do asphyxiate, but this is not the cause of my death. As proven by the blood and water that will flow from my broken side, I literally die from a broken heart.
Collect:
O, Lord, I have many fears, but they are all dwarfed by my heart-wrenching fear of death. To lose all this earthly life seems incomprehensible to me. Yet I must accept my death willingly. No, Joyfully! Gratefully! For you are waiting for me on the other side, and all of the love you feel for me will be truly manifested. Oh, how I await my death with eager anticipation!
Hymn:
Thou, my Savior's Cross who bearest,
Thou, my Son's rebuke who sharest,
Let me share them both with thee.
XIII. JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee,
R: "Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world."
Meditation:
The dark skies begin to rumble and night comes at 3:00 in the afternoon. The crowd that watched me suffer has dispersed, mostly for fear of the forces of nature that the death of this man has released. My body is hastily taken down from the cross in time for the Sabbath. My Mother cradles my lifeless form on her lap, rocking to and fro. Silently she watched me die, and silently she cradles my death, her eyes filled with tears.
Collect:
O, Lord, I too must accept the death of loved ones. I know that grief is inevitable and that I cannot be as strong as that Blessed Mary. But help me accept the parting of those I love. Don't let me be selfish by denying them their place in your Eternal Kingdom.
Hymn:
Mine with thee be that sad station,
There to watch the great salvation,
Wrought upon the atoning tree.
XIV. JESUS IS LAID IN THE SEPULCHER
V: We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
R: "Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world."
Meditation:
My friends reappear to claim my body. One of my wealthier followers provides my body with the clean linen and spices it needs for burial, while another lays me in the tomb he had been saving for his own lifeless body. The stone is rolled into place, the Roman Guard places his seal on the tomb, closing it forever to mortal hands. I wait.
Collect:
O, Lord, your mortal life is through. But now I have the chance to bear the burdens you couldn't bear, teach the lessons you couldn't teach, do the works your short life would not permit, reach out to those you are not here to hold. With your help, I can. AMEN.
Hymn:
To my parting soul be given
Entrance at the gate of Heaven,
And in Paradise a place.
V: Christ became obedient unto death for us
R: Even the death of the Cross.
V: Let us pray.
R: Almighty God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the Cross; Who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever, one God, world without end. AMEN.
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Bass Mitchell, Hot Springs, VA
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