Friday Stations 2009

Way of the Cross: Lent 2009

Station I - Jesus is condemned to death
Scripture: Mt 27:11-14
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Reflection: How often do we condemn?
Sometimes we feel alone. Sometimes we feel that others don’t stand up with us when we defend others. We are afraid. Sometimes we are not treated fairly, we are unjustly accused. Sometimes we feel abandoned, and afraid. Sometimes we feel like we are treated unfairly or blamed for things unfairly. We have a hard time when people criticize us at home or at work.
Help us to be grateful for what you did for us. Help us to accept criticism and unfairness as you did, and not complain. Help me pray for those who have hurt us.

Station II - Jesus takes his cross
Scripture: John 19:17
So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.
Reflection: What crosses are we asked to bear?
How often do we receive the crosses of daily life with complaining and grumbling? How often do we count 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 mundane contributions of our friends and loved ones, easy to forget to say “thank you” for little courtesies and sacrifices others’ make for us. How can we make others’ crosses easier to bear?
 

Station III - Jesus falls the first time
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.
Reflection: What disillusionments do we face in our own life’s journey?
In the early days of our journeys, we were filled with joy, expectation, and excitement over the wonderful step we were taking. We ‘just knew’ we were doing the right thing, that our life’s journey would be the most beautiful in the world and we would always feel this way. We expected of ourselves that we would be different and better somehow than we’d ever been before.
Then, that first disillusionment hit. The honeymoon, the excitement was over. Reality set in. We felt like we were failing and no one was there to help. These are the times we really show what our faith is made of. When the 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.
 

Stations reflections 1,2,3 prepared by Adult Formation Ministries. 
 

Station IV -  Jesus Meets His Mother
Scripture: Lamentations 1:16
At this I weep, my eyes run with tears: Far from me are all who could console me, any who might revive me; my children are desolate. The enemy has prevailed.

Reflection: She’s a small woman with dark hair and a gentle smile; only her eyes reveal the terrible sadness in her heart. “This is my Mom” the young cancer patient says proudly. He has something called stage IV rhabomysarcoma. It’s in the advanced stages of the disease. It’s too horrible a label for a twenty-one year old. This mother’s courage is overwhelming. In his room she teases, cajoles, supports, and loves; she is his mother. In the hallway she dissolves into heart-wrenching sobs; she is his mother.
Prayer: Blessed Jesus, Your own beloved mother’s heart was pierced by a cruel sword. May we minister to the mothers and fathers of young persons in need of healing. Touch their pain with gentleness on their journeys of suffering.
 

Station V -  Simon Helps Carry the Cross
Scripture: Isaiah 53:3
He was rejected and avoided by everyone, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity. One of those from whom people hide their faces.

Reflection: Paul, the young unit clerk on the children’s oncology ward is bald, really, really, bald, like the proverbial “billiard.” Could he be a chemo patient himself or is he shaving off all of his own hair some kind of contemporary statement? Oh, it’s definitely a statement. You see Paul knows how hard it is for the children going through chemo to lose their hair; it is especially tough for teenagers. So Paul decided to shave off his own hair so that the children won’t feel so all alone. He did it as a sign of love and support. Amazing! This young Paul of Cyrene.
Prayer: Jesus, my friend, the weight of your heavy cross was lightened by the young, strong arms of Simon. Lighten the suffering of those in pain. Send as many Simons as it takes into their lives to ease the journey.
 

Station VI -  Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Scripture: Lamentations 1:12
Come, all you who pass by the way. Look and see if there is any suffering like my suffering.

Reflection: They brought him in on a gurney into the emergency room. It took two paramedics to hold him down. He was fighting the IVs and the oxygen just as he’s always had to fight for his life. That’s the way it is living on the streets. He was scared, he was hurt, but he didn’t know who to trust. He began to relax when she smiled at him.The nurse held his hand and tenderly began to wash the blood and grit from his face and eyes. “God bless you,” he breathed softly through his bruised and swollen lips. And God did.
Prayer: My dearest Jesus, you know about struggling for life. You experienced human cruelty in the most devastating way; you were betrayed by those you came to save. Send those who can comfort the suffering, as Veronica comforted you in your time of suffering.

Preaching on stations 4,5,6 by Mary Lue Jiunta:

As I listened to the stations and the moving narratives that were shared with us at each station, I was struck by what I thought they had in common. All three stories and stations showed us how people cared for each other during heart rending and difficult times. Struggles were evident for all those involved. And in all of the scenarios, relationships shone through the darkest of hours.
Jesus and his mother gave comfort to each other and a mom cared for her son as he fought cancer. Simon gave Jesus aid in carrying his horrible burden and a young man found a way to show solidarity with sick children. Veronica wiped the bloody and sweat covered face of our Lord, giving him a brief respite during his hellish journey and a nurse comforted a young man badly injured.
But Healing? Where is healing evident in what we heard tonight? Where’s the “feel good happy ending” to any of these stories? Where are the cures? When does the pain goes away?
We see people caring for each other. We see help being given. But where is the healing?
The healing in their Love for one Another. One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the healing force of love. God’s Love for us, our love for each other.
Love is Healing. When we are loved, no matter how bad it gets, we know are not alone. Love lets us trust that no matter what tomorrow brings we don’t face it alone. The love of our God, the love of our family, the love of our friends, the love of our Faith Community. We are never alone.
Love is Healing. And in that Healing is Hope. Hope that better times are ahead. Even though we may not achieve physical healing, the Love and Support of those around us can give us the strength to find peace as we go through our life journey.
Unfortunately, There is a downside to healing – because first, before you can avail yourself of that beautiful gift from our God – you have to have an injury or an illness. And before the healing can begin, the injury has to be identified.
Physical injuries and illnesses, for the most part, are easily named. We go to a health care specialist – they run tests, they offer treatment – and hopefully the attempt at healing is a success.
Some emotional pain is obvious. We know about your hurt when you lose a loved one and we walk with you through your grief and bereavement. We know when you need a tangible symbol of our love for you, when you reach for a healing blanket - when you need to feel covered in our prayers.
But, what about emotional and spiritual wounds that aren’t as obvious? That damage can be just as devastating as physical injuries. The pain can be just as crippling. And the hurt can do enormous harm to our relationships and our lives.
Healing is a process, whether physical, emotional or spiritual. We need to identify and name our wounds. We need to be able to say what we feel – “I feel betrayed. I feel ignored. I feel disrespected. I feel as though as I don’t matter to you – I feel invisible…” I don’t know where I belong anymore” I’ve lost my way” Where is God in this wreckage? Why did God let this happen to me?
In each of the stations, in each of the narratives, I can imagine those people saying that.
If you have physical issues, you pursue healing don’t you? You make dr. appointments – look for ways to feel better.
Shouldn’t your emotional and spiritual wounds be just as much a priority to you? Do you pursue spiritual serenity? How about Emotional peace?
Easier said than done?
Emotional and Spiritual Healing can begin when we are able to listen with our hearts to those in pain. Healing can begin when we speak words of care from our hearts. Wounds can start to heal when love is allowed into the curative process. Love is healing.
We gather again next Friday to continue our journey through the Way of the Cross. Until that time, why not reflect on healing in your life? Do you have wounds that need healed? Do you have a heart that is open for healing? Have you inflicted wounds that you need to help mend? Will you pursue the healing that you require? Will you let yourself lay down some of the emotional and spiritual burdens that you carry and feel the calm that comes with healing?
May God bless each and every one of us with The Love That Heals.

Stations reflections 4,5,6 prepared by Community Care Ministries.
 

Station VII - Jesus Falls The Second Time

Scripture: ISAIAH 53:4-6
“But he endured the suffering that should that should have been ours, the pain that we should have borne. All the while we thought that his suffering was punishment sent by God. But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received. All of us were like sheep that were lost, each of us going his own way. But the Lord made the punishment fall on him, the punishment all of us deserved.
Reflection: I Fall The Second Time
I had wanted to pace myself better to make it to Calvary without another fall. But I tripped. I’m not sure how. Maybe it was a loose cobblestone, a rock I stubbed my foot on or a wet spot that was too slick . . . This fall shows me up for being human as nothing else on my way to Calvary. I had enough strength and presence of mind to avoid it. Why did I fall? I think I was lulled into a momentary lapse. Simon had eased my burden. Veronica had soothed my sweaty face. A soft breeze had cooled my body. What flashed in my mind was that these fleeting strokes of good fortune meant I could somehow bypass the rest of the journey. Before I even recognized that as a temptation, I fell.
I smiled, the only time I remember smiling on my way to crucifixion. I smiled because I recognized how deeply I was like other people in being tempted not to drink fully the cup my Father wanted me to drink.
There’s a profound lesson here for you in your journey. Momentary good fortune does not mean the struggle is over. If things are looking rosy, be careful. You may be about to fall all the harder. Both good and bad are fleeting. Do not count on good times in this life. Count on nothing except the gifts of faith and hope from my Father. (from: “Cross Examinations, Stations of the Cross” by James E. Adams)
Reflection 2: How Did This Happen? (by Barb Herzog)
How did this happen?
I remember it was in 1999 or 2000, and the markets were down then, too.
We were working so hard and trying to save for the future.
It was a mild recession, but we lost money. It was so discouraging.
Since then, things were getting better; just humming along, really.
Then – we fell – again.
Looking back now – to that first fall. It was a minor setback. But now.
Again, how did this happen?
We were told “save yourself from inflation – invest.” “Build for your future, and your children’s future.”
What are those old sayings; “don’t put all your eggs in one basket,”
“Save for a rainy day.”
“Be a good steward.”
We always told the kids, save your money. Don’t spend recklessly.
Make sure you put aside some money for God.
Be charitable.
Help those who have a hard time helping themselves.
You do all this. You keep your nose clean. You try to live an honest, decent life.
And yet, that old proverbial rug gets pulled out, and down you go!
Looks like our 401k’s are 201k’s now!
And now. I think, will we be able to continue paying our mortgage?
What about the medical expenses – ours and grandma’s?
We wanted to make sure we saved enough to help her out too.
What about the kid’s educations?
We’ve been planning for ever so long; to enable them to attend college.
When will we be able to retire, and when we do how will we live?
Will we have jobs to retire from?
I followed all the rules.
I know, I know, “bad things happen to good people.” I mean –
Look at Jesus.
 

Station VIII - Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Scripture: LUKE 23:27-31
A large group of people followed him, among them were some women who were weeping and wailing for him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Women of Jerusalem! Don’t cry for me, but for yourselves and your children. For the days are coming when people will say, ‘How lucky are the women who never had children, who never bore babies, who never nursed them!’
That will be the time when people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us
and to the hills, ‘Hide us!’ For if such things as these are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Reflection 1: I Meet The Wailing Women of Jerusalem
Why wasn’t I more understanding with these weeping women, who, after all, seemed to be showing me sympathy? Instead of graciously accepting their show of concern, I turned on them with the seemingly harsh words: “Don’t weep for me, weep for yourselves and your children.” . .
I was not condemning these women for their public display, but I spoke harshly to them because I wanted them to be more aware of what they were doing. I was harsh because these women were part of a great multitude of curiosity seekers who had turned out to watch an execution.
Remember that these women were engaged in a kind of formal religious practice of mourning and lamenting for the dead or condemned. They were weeping for the sake of weeping. They were weeping out of a rote religious duty without knowing me.
I do not desire religious practice for its own sake. Indeed, when religious practices are carried out mindlessly, they aren’t helpful. I detest religious routines when they become a way to avoid your deep personal commitment to me and my Father.
Sometimes, silence and solitude is the best religious practice. Sometimes, it is better to be silent, to pour out your heart where no one can hear, than to shout prayers in public. When you know for whom you weep, them come to Calvary’s road. (from: “Cross Examinations, Stations of the Cross” by James E. Adams)

Reflection 2: Conversation (by Barb Herzog)
1. Oh, hey, did I tell you girls about the Charity Ball?
2. No, what?
3. Uhn, uh.
1. It's time for the big event of the social season again!! The yearly, glitzy, star-studded
benefit! I am SOO excited. I've already got my new outfit - and our picture might be
in the paper, too. Some local celebs will be there. We'll get to do some hob knobbing!
3. Oh, that's really exciting. I've never been to one of those.
2. Me neither. Can anybody go?
3. Ok, how much is it?
1. Well, it does cost a bit. (leans over and whispers)
2. Wow! That's not gonna be easy!
3. Oooo, that is kinda steep.
2. I really would need to get a new dress, and shoes... and I need a glittery purse to go with
that too.....(thinking)
3. I think I could manage to put together a pretty nice outfit. I do have that dress from the
wedding last year. Gosh, I hope I can still fit into it!
1. We'd have a blast there together! Can you imagine the fun we'll have? And what if we
just happen to be in the right place, at the right time, near the right celebrity - and
there we are in the photos in the social section of the papers!
2. Oh, it's gonna be such fun. Kinda makes me feel like "Cinderella at the Ball!"
1. Yeah, I know!
3. Wait'll we tell the guys. (they all snicker)
2. So, you said this was a "Charity Ball?"
1. Uhn huh.
3. Just out of curiosity, which one?
1. It's to benefit the women's and children's center.
2. Oh.
3. Oh. (slight pause - they're thinking...)
2. So, what do they do at this place?
1. Well, I don't really know much about the people there. I just know there's this big
fancy bash each year - and 'cause John's company buys some tickets to it and
he was able to get in with the hot shots, we get to go. But it is for a good cause.
(all become silent and start to look at each other with new thoughts)
2. I bet some of the women who come to this center are there because they've been
abused, or maybe the kids get abused.
(all are silent as more thoughts come)
3. Can you imagine what that must be like? (all are silent for a moment - thinking)
2. Ya know, I was just thinking.... A minute ago I said I'd feel like Cinderella at the Ball if I
went to this fancy party. Can you imagine what some of these women would feel like -
to be able to get all dressed up and go to this lavish party?
(all are thinking, suddenly becoming more sober)
3. Where did you day this place was? The shelter, I mean?
1. I think it must be somewhere in the West end - it's probably not a very good
neighborhood.
3. Somehow it doesn't seem as much fun to think about going to this party. I mean,
when you think about the situation these women are in - and their kids. How
easy can that be?
2. I know. (directed to 1.) Does anybody know how many women stay there?
3. And how many kids are staying there?
1. I don't know. It does make you wonder, doesn't it?
(all become silent)
2. (directed to 3.) Maybe we shouldn't say anything to the guys just yet.
3. Yeah.
1. I guess I need to think about this a little more, too. So, you're not going?
3. I like the idea of making a donation, but now I'm not so sure about the party.
2. I have to say, it makes me feel a little guilty, thinking about it.
1. Tell you what, I'll ask around and see if I can find out more about this shelter.
I think raising the money is a good idea. But, you do look at it differently if you know
who it is we are trying to help, and what their stories are. (others nod)
Wouldn't that make a difference?

Stations reflections 7 & 8 prepared by Children’s Formation Ministry.
 

STATION IX: Jesus falls the third time
Scripture: John 12:23-26
Jesus answered them: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I solemnly assure you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. The one who loves their life loses it, while the one who hates their life in this world preserves it to life eternal. If anyone would serve me, let them follow me: where I am, there will my servants be. If anyone serves me, that one the Father will honor.
Reflection: The blood of Jesus is mixed on the ground with so much innocent blood shed in the past and in the present. God cares about innocent blood. This is the blood caused by the sin of the person who wants to be god, slave of his or her own selfishness and murderer of his or her brothers and sisters. Let no one be deceived: God cares about innocent blood. That is why an angel comes to comfort Jesus. The bloodied one will be the risen one. The earth watered by blood will bloom in new life. Each person who has shed blood will have an angel and a resurrection.
Prayer: Lord, 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. May we help them to keep faith in their hearts and to know of Your love for each of us and especially for those lost sheep among us.

STATION X: Jesus is Stripped
Scripture: John 19:23-24
After the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and divided them four ways, one for each soldier. There was also his tunic, but this tunic was woven in one piece from top to bottom and had no seam. They said to each other, “We should not tear it. Let us throw dice to see who gets it”. The purpose of this was to have the Scripture fulfilled: “They divided my garments among them; for my clothing they cast lots.” And this was what they did.
Reflection: To strip someone in public means to degrade them, to take away their dignity. That is what they do to Jesus. And that continues to be done to so many places and persons who are deprived of everything they had. Hope, however, does not lie in the greedy and corrupt people, but in Jesus who, deprived of everything, placed his trust in God alone. God is on his side. Trust lies in Jesus and in people who are despoiled: in those who have nothing to lose and have a right to expect everything from God. God will create new people out of them.

Prayer: Lord, give us courage and hope and teach us to see that we may empty ourselves completely in order to follow Your way, and help us to know that we are only clinging to ourselves when we wrap ourselves with clothing. Help us to really know that we must die to ourselves in order to truly be Your followers.

Testimonio/Witness: Ana Lane
I would like to share with you a story. It is about how Jesus came to my life and transformed it. I was raised in a Catholic and very conservative family. No matter that, I used to judge people for their appearances and for the bad choices they made. Also, it was difficult for me to understand why Jesus came to die; I did not like the suffering.
In my life I have made bad choices as well. Twelve years ago I was with the man I loved, and pregnant. Then he left me. In my Country it is the worst that can happen to a woman, to be abandoned, single and pregnant. I knew I would be considered a failure, and a shame for my family and friends.
But I was so grateful for the life that was growing inside of me.
That night when the father of my child abandoned me and wished me to die, I felt my world came down in pieces. In an instant my world turned to a dark tunnel, with feelings of depression and pain. My spirit was suffering with the pain of agony. (If you have been betrayed by the person you love, you may understand.)
As my emotions and suffering grew, my pain was transformed in a prayer to my God. I asked Him for forgiveness, and from the depths of my heart, I forgave the father of my child. I said to my God: “…I’m so sorry, I’ve been so stupid, I’ve lived my life so carelessly, and how poorly I have judged people - forgive me please! And because I’m asking you for your forgiveness, I forgive him too; he does not know what he is doing. If I need to pass through this suffering, so be it. But, from my broken heart, the only one I can reach for is You. Do not abandon me, please…!”
The same night, the night of my agony, I reached out for the tool that could help me to find God in my darkness: The Bible, the only book I opened and the only part I read, was Isaiah chapter 54:

“Shout for joy, you barren woman who bore no children! Break into cries of joy and gladness, you who were never in labor! For the sons of the forsaken one are more in number than the sons of the wedded wife, says Yahweh… Do not be afraid, you will not be put to shame, do not be dismayed, you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth and no longer remember the course of your widowhood, for now your creator will be your husband, his name is Yahweh Sabaoth; your redeemer will be the Holy One of Israel, He is called the God of the whole earth. Yes, like a forsaken wife, distressed in spirit, Yahweh calls you back… I did forsake you for a moment, but with great love I take you back... For the mountains may depart, the hills be shaken, but my love for you will never leave you…Unhappy creature, storm-tossed one, disconsolate, see, I will set your pavements on carnelians and your foundations on sapphires…You will have nothing to fear.”

I did not choose this reading, God offered it to me.
It was all I needed. God lifted me up and healed my heart right there! Not just to stand on my own two feet! But, far beyond human love—God’s forgiveness and God’s Love!
The power of his love poured on me, made me understand and opened my eyes to his grace. And made me feel more loved than ever before in my life! The same night! He did not let me go to bed feeling miserable! I was so happy! With happiness that only He could give me and, with peace that only He could give me! I could not ask for more!
After that day, all kinds of things happened to me because of being a single mom. When my daughter was born, my parents did not want to see her, some of my sisters did not speak to me, some of my friends left and many people rejected me. Nothing of that made me feel depressed or even sad because I knew who was embracing me, and I did not keep bad feelings towards anybody.
I understood my suffering had a purpose. I understood that forgiving and surrendering my self to God’s will was the door I opened to be filled with His grace. And most important of all, I understood Jesus’ love through his suffering and death.
Our suffering has a purpose; Jesus’ suffering had his. We should not be afraid of what we have to endure.
I can see now that it is not the lack of food, or the lack of clothing that makes us struggle or be depressed, not even betrayals, it is living without letting God embrace us with his love, and most of the time through suffering and difficulties!
Every time I feel down, I read this chapter of the Bible and everything vanishes away. Happiness and love fill my heart again, and nobody can take this from me, ever. Praise to You my Lord and beautiful God!

Stations reflections 9 & 10 prepared by Hispanic Ministries

Stations XI and XII:

Preparatory reflection:
These two stations, “Jesus is nailed to the cross” and “Jesus dies on the cross”, bring us to the climax of the entire Way of the Cross. We are reflecting upon them here in the context of justice.

The act of nailing a human being to an instrument of death—what can be more evil? To participate in such an act must depend on a will to de-humanize the other. Looking across the breadth of human interaction with the eyes of Christ, we can recognize that same will in our world and even in ourselves. 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 or by indifference or in our fear… we humans plan, perpetrate and accept all kinds of exploitation and abuse of other humans, even to the point of their deaths. To participate in these acts, whether knowingly of blindly, requires of us a will to see some humans as objects whose suffering and death matters less, or not at all.

And at that point of death—what can we say? What are the adequate words by which we would address the countless deaths of the little and the least? Perhaps the only truly reverent response is silence.

STATION XI: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Scripture: Luke 23:32-34
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’
Reflection:
Here is where the process begins:
Let the beam clatter to the rocky ground,
Trip that one to fall across it,
Mouth up, and you, kneel on the arm;
You, there, just stand on the hand.
That will do.

That one’s death will serve my purpose.
That one’s death will expedite my needs.

The fitting of a nail,
The lifting of a hammer.
Here is where the nails will enter:

To hang a body weight requires knowing
the bones, the spaces between, the strength of certain sinews.

Regrettably, we must accept the practical--
It is necessary that the strong eat the weak, or there can be no order.

That one’s death shall be my security, my freedom.
That one’s death shall assure my children’s innocence, shall bury their fears.
That one’s death will increase my power.

The efficient hammer,
The stabbing nail.

Here is something to keep in mind:
Know how to manage the loss of blood; do not permit a hasty death,
Or all your efforts will be in vain,
For the thing has a purpose before it dies.

That one will dig, will bend, will push, will break;
That one will lift and carry and bear.
That one will be a warning sign.
And then, why death will be a mercy, a release.

The cunning, well-placed nail.
The skillful hammer. 

Here is how the thing will be finished.
Just repeat the process at each vital point:
A simple matter, really.
Don’t be squeamish.
It will quickly pass, your distress.

How convenient that we can agree in our common cause!
That one’s death will ensure my health.
That one’s death will give me back my future.
That one’s death will gain my profit.
That one’s death will add to my account.

Your’s, too.

The hammer falls silent.
The nails hold.
(poem by Larraine Lauter)

Prayer: Silence

Station XII: Jesus Dies on the Cross

Scripture: Luke 23: 44-46

It was now about noon,
and darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon,
while the sun’s light failed;
and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said,
‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’
Having said this, he breathed his last.

Prayer: Silence

Jesus, help us to see:
Your beloved sister is deceived and sold and violated…Your beloved brother is caught in crushing debt… Kyrie eleison…

Your beloved sister is treated with contempt in the house where she works…Your beloved mother sleeps in the cathedral door … Kyrie eleison…

Your beloved brother is bent beneath the box of tomatoes…Your tiny beloved sister is begging in the restaurant parking lot… Kyrie eleison…

Your beloved mother is curled in unrelieved pain…Your small beloved brother is selling water in the street… Kyrie eleison…

Your young beloved sister is bent over a sewing machine…Your beloved brother is enslaved as a charcoal maker… Kyrie eleison…

Your beloved elder brother is selling his coffee beans for less…Your beloved little brother is lost in the border desert… your beloved mother is cowering in fear of the falling bomb…

And we, for ourselves we pray:
for the part we play, knowing or unknowing,
For the nails and hammers that fasten the poor and powerless to their crosses,
For our failure to fall silent in the face of their deaths…
Kyrie eleison…

Stations reflections 11 & 12 prepared by Social Responsibility Ministries.

Station XIII: Jesus is taken down from the Cross
Reading: Mark 15: 42-45
When it was already evening, since it was the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died. And when he learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
Reflection: It took courage for Joseph to ask for the body of Jesus. Do we step out in faith and take a stand? Many of us would not put ourselves in a situation in which we could face criticism or even harm. We spend our lives watching while others need our help. Jesus, you spent your life for us. Help us to respond by taking each other down from their cross with our love. (Ken Jones)

Station XIV: Jesus is laid in the tomb
Reading: John 19: 38-42
After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body. Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.
Reflection: What comes to mind is the tomb of the unknown soldiers at Arlington national Cemetery. That hallowed ground is a place to reflect on all the heroes that have given their lives for the cause of freedom. Christ died so that we can all be free. Our “Arlington Cemetery” – our hallowed ground—is in our hearts. Thousands of times each day all over the world we receive Christ in the Eucharist and into the hallowed ground of our hearts. (Tom Thompson)

Preaching on Stations XIII & XIV: Brayton Bowen, “Operating in the Dead Zone”