Each year during Lent, I find it necessary to make a conscious effort to drown out the noise of the world surrounding Easter - block out the talk of Easter bunnies and candy baskets - and put my heart in the spiritual place it needs to be. What we are "celebrating" is a death...and a rebirth...not how fat we can make the wallets of candy companies and toymakers. I find that "traveling" the stations of the cross is very helpful in "getting right" with God at this time of year. There are 14 stations in all - I will be traveling to two each day for the first couple of days. If you have never "traveled" through the stations of the cross, I invite you to tag along this year with me. I believe God will minister to your heart and spirit in ways you will recognize and treasure.
The First Station - Jesus is Condemned to Die
Jesus stands in the most human of places. He has already experienced profound solidarity with so many on this earth, by being beaten and tortured. Now he is wrongfully condemned to punishment by death. His commitment to entering our lives completely begins its final steps. He has said "yes" to God and placed his life in God's hands. We follow him in this final surrender, and contemplate with reverence each place along the way, as he is broken and given for us.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
As I view the scene, I become moved by both outrage and gratitude. I look at Jesus. His face. The crown of thorns. The blood. His clothes stuck to the wounds on his back. Pilate washes his hands of the whole affair. Jesus' hands are tied behind his back.
This is for me. That I might be free. That I might have eternal life.
As the journey begins I ask to be with Jesus. To follow his journey. I express my love and thanks.
The Second Station - Jesus Carries His Cross
Jesus is made to carry the cross on which he will die. It represents the weight of all our crosses. What he must have felt as he first took it upon his shoulders! With each step he enters more deeply into our human experience. He walks in the path of human misery and suffering, and experiences its crushing weight.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
I contemplate the wood of that cross. I imagine how heavy it is. I reflect upon all it means that Jesus is carrying it.
I look into his eyes. It's all there.
This is for me. So I place myself with him in this journey. In its anguish. In his freedom and surrender. In the love that must fill his heart.
With sorrow and gratitude, I continue the journey. Moved by the power of his love, I am drawn to him and express my love in the words that come to me.
The First Station - Jesus is Condemned to Die
Jesus stands in the most human of places. He has already experienced profound solidarity with so many on this earth, by being beaten and tortured. Now he is wrongfully condemned to punishment by death. His commitment to entering our lives completely begins its final steps. He has said "yes" to God and placed his life in God's hands. We follow him in this final surrender, and contemplate with reverence each place along the way, as he is broken and given for us.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
As I view the scene, I become moved by both outrage and gratitude. I look at Jesus. His face. The crown of thorns. The blood. His clothes stuck to the wounds on his back. Pilate washes his hands of the whole affair. Jesus' hands are tied behind his back.
This is for me. That I might be free. That I might have eternal life.
As the journey begins I ask to be with Jesus. To follow his journey. I express my love and thanks.
The Second Station - Jesus Carries His Cross
Jesus is made to carry the cross on which he will die. It represents the weight of all our crosses. What he must have felt as he first took it upon his shoulders! With each step he enters more deeply into our human experience. He walks in the path of human misery and suffering, and experiences its crushing weight.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
I contemplate the wood of that cross. I imagine how heavy it is. I reflect upon all it means that Jesus is carrying it.
I look into his eyes. It's all there.
This is for me. So I place myself with him in this journey. In its anguish. In his freedom and surrender. In the love that must fill his heart.
With sorrow and gratitude, I continue the journey. Moved by the power of his love, I am drawn to him and express my love in the words that come to me.
