Way of the Cross for Lent 2009

Our liturgies for the Sundays of Lent 2009 begin with reflections on the Way of the Cross. Many have asked about the texts used for these "community" Stations. May these reflections help your prayer this Lent.

First Sunday of Lent, March 1, 2009

• Way of the Cross, I: Jesus is condemned to death.

Sometimes we are unjustly accused; sometimes life is not fair. Accidents and illnesses happen, we are “down-sized”, we have a string of “bad luck.” And we can still be critical and impatient, unwilling to stand up for others who are unjustly treated. We can feel alone and afraid. Help us to remember your love for us right in the midst of injustice and unfairness, and to share that love and support with others. Help us remember the humanity of even those who harm us.

• Way of the Cross, II: Jesus takes up his cross.

We so often receive the crosses of daily life with complaining and grumbling, counting the burdens that we have without appreciating the burdens being borne by others. How aware are we of the burdens we place on others through our own lack of consideration, taking one another for granted, or even deliberately treating them out of bad will? It is so easy to take for granted the daily contributions of our friends and loved ones, easy to forget to say “thank you” for little courtesies and sacrifices others’ make for us. Forgive us, and strengthen us to face the challenges our lives bring…

• Way of the Cross, III: Jesus falls the first time.

We frequently set out with anticipation, expectation, and excitement. Then, reality sets in and the “honeymoon is over.” We can feel like we are failing and no one is there to help. When the good feelings are gone, when we think we may have made a terrible mistake; when life seems boring, or dull, or long – then we must pick ourselves up and keep moving forward by choice and will and the grace of God, and work to make our journey beautiful again. Forgive us for the times we give up, and can’t find the will to go on…

Second Sunday of Lent, March 8, 2009

• Way of the Cross, IV: Jesus Meets his Mother

All too many of us have known the agony of losing a child, through illness, accident, or violence. Help us remember, Lord Jesus, that even our enemies are beloved children of parents and are our brothers and sisters, children of the one God…

• Way of the Cross, V: Simon Helps Jesus Carry the Cross

So very often we overlook those around us, we shun or ignore those who are “different”, or criminal, ill or immigrant, poor or angry. Christ Jesus, help us live in solidarity with all the least of our brothers and sisters…

• Way of the Cross, VI: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

When we see those in pain, we do not want to look… we can make them invisible and pretend they aren’t there. Lord Jesus, open our eyes to those around us. Help us to act with compassion toward all the suffering in our world…

Third Sunday of Lent, March 15, 2009

• Way of the Cross, VII: Jesus Falls the Second Time

You can do all the “right things.” You can “keep your nose clean” and try to live an honest, decent life. Yet, that old proverbial rug gets pulled out, and down you go. It is so hard to accept that one can try really hard, and still fall, still fail. Christ Jesus, help us to remember that you, too, fell, and that the falling isn’t the real problem. May we be encouraged and strengthened to get up again, and continue walking the path life brings to us with humility and compassion…

• Way of the Cross, VIII: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Sometimes, like these women who were “professional mourners,” we, too, can hide behind a role or do things without fully understanding the meaning and impact of our actions. Lord Jesus, open the eyes of our minds and hearts to realize fully how we are living, and to make choices that respect the dignity of each human person and the sacredness of all creation… 

Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 22, 2009

• Way of the Cross, IX: Jesus Falls a Third Time

Bad things happen to good people. Some people have to choose between eating and paying the rent, between medication and a birthday gift for their grandchild. Sometimes when you’re down, you think you just don’t have what it takes to get back up. Lord Jesus, give us courage and hope, that we might affirm your presence among all those in the world who have fallen, who are defenseless, who wait to be raised up.

• Way of the Cross, X: Jesus is Stripped of his Garments

Sometimes all dignity is lost and we face what feels like total humiliation. Possessions can get stripped away all too quickly when work dries up. Infirmities, illness and old age can take away even our physical functions and mental capacities. Worse is to lose family, or self-respect. Christ Jesus, your clothes were peeled away, and you lost even that last shred of human protection. Some of us know all about it – you occupy the next bed in the nursing home, and sleep on the streets almost out-of-sight in our city. Help us to let go of what is less important, and to believe in a love that is stronger than loss and death.

Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 29, 2009

• Way of the Cross, XI: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

The act of nailing a human being on the cross seems so evil and sometimes remote… yet that act requires a will to de-humanize the other, and with the eyes of Christ we can recognize that same will in our world and even ourselves. We humans plan and perpetrate all kinds of exploitation and abuse of others, and many of us know the pain of exploitation and abuse ourselves, yet do not work to stop it. Christ Jesus, open our eyes to the ways that we see some humans as objects whose suffering and death matters less, or not at all…

• Way of the Cross, XII: Jesus Dies on the Cross

We speak of “accepting the cross” as a spiritual good—but what of our will to accept that other humans be nailed to crosses? Whether by evil intent, because of fear or indifference—knowingly or blindly we participate in events that exploit or abuse others, even to the point of their deaths. Lord Jesus, open our hearts to the plights of those “invisible” among us, such as those caught in crushing debt, those deceived and sold and violated, those lost in the border desert, those cowering in fear of a falling bomb, those denied medical care…