Tuesday, March 26: Stations of the Cross

Begin your prayer time by lighting a candle or by ringing the opening bell in the right hand column at the website here. Allow the ringing of the bell to draw you into sacred space with God. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God's love and presence, breathing out any distractions, plans or worries.

#2 Jesus Carries the Cross

I again invite you to see Jesus in his humanity as you read and pray with the scriptures today.  Remember that he felt all of the things that we feel.  Allow yourself to identify with his suffering.  

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
take me along that holy way
you once took to your death.
Take my mind, my memory,
above all, my reluctant heart,
and let me see what once you did
for love of me and all the world.

God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:17).

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Jesus said to all: “Whoever wishes to be My follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in My steps" (Luke 9:23).

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they led him away to crucify him (Matthew 27:27-31). Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha) (John 19:17).

Jesus receives his cross, living out the words he spoke to those who desire to be his disciples, and heads off to his death. Put yourself into the story. Jesus has been beaten and now, the heavy crossbeam of a cross is placed upon his bleeding shoulders and he is pushed and prodded toward the place he will be crucified. He shuffles more than walks and continues forward. What do you want to say to Jesus? Spend some time talking with Jesus about his journey to the cross.

Closing:

I adore You, O Christ, and bless You, for by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world and You have redeemed me.

Jesus Christ Crucified. Have mercy on me.

Repeat this prayer for as long as you would like.  

For your journal:  What does it mean to deny yourself?  As you look at the story of Jesus being lead to the place of his crucifixion, what does it mean to you to take up your cross each day and follow in his footsteps?