The Way of the Cross
This is a spiritual meditation to do during the Season of Lent. Just read it and reflect.
I. Pilate Condemns Jesus to Die
Meditation: Lord Jesus, often I judge others and fail to be understanding or loving. Help me to see the people in my life through your eyes, not the eyes of a Pontius Pilate.
II. Jesus Accepts His Cross
Meditation: Lord Jesus, you embraced your cross to redeem the world. Help me to embrace the crosses in my life -- the hardships, struggles, disappointments, pain. Only by recognizing my own weakness, can I discover your strength.
III. Jesus Falls the First Time
Meditation: Lord Jesus, you know how often I fall trying to follow you. Yet you are always there to life me up. Help me always to trust in your loving care for me.
IV. Jesus Meets His Mother
Meditation: Lord Jesus, your mother Mary's grief was surpassed by her love for you. So often you come to me in others and their love gives me new life. Help me to see how often you love me through the people in my life.
V. Simon Helps Carry the Cross
Meditation: Lord Jesus, sometimes I am indifferent to the needs of others in my life. I even neglect those whom I love. Help me to see that loving others is the surest way to find you in my life.
VI. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Meditation: Lord Jesus, at times I am afraid to reach out to others. I do nothing when I should act, I say nothing when I should speak out. Give me a deeper and more courageous faith. Help me to trust that you are with me.
VII. Jesus Falls the Second Time
Meditation: Lord Jesus, failure and disappointment sometimes lead me to despair. I hide behind my pride and self-pity, withdrawing from you and others. Give me the hope I need and help me never to be afraid to begin again.
VIII. Jesus Speaks to the Women
Meditation: Lord Jesus, your great compassion for others overwhelms me. I feel petty and selfish when I think of you and the way you love. Help me to pour out my love, that you might fill me with your love.
IX. Jesus Falls the Third Time
Meditation: Lord Jesus, your failing strength makes me see how helpless I am. Without you, I can do nothing. Help me to rely on your strength, to see how much I need you.
X. Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
Meditation: Lord Jesus, seeing you so cruelly humiliated makes me realize how I cling to my accomplishments, my possessions, my way. Help me to let go of those things in my life that prevent me from growing closer to you and others.
XI. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Meditation: Lord Jesus, I can never doubt your great love for me when I see you crucified. Help me to see your cross as the great sign of your love for me.
XII. Jesus Dies on the Cross
Meditation: Lord Jesus, your broken and lifeless body calls me to deeper faith. You chose death, even death on the cross. Help me to see my crosses as ways of loving you.
XIII. Jesus is Taken From the Cross
Meditation: Lord Jesus, seeing your body taken from the cross reminds me how fearful I am of letting go of my own life. I am frightened when I think of being unimportant, useless, helpless. Help me to place my life in your hands.
XIV. Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
Meditation: Lord Jesus, when I see the great stone sealing your tomb, I feel alone and abandoned. Even though you sometimes seem distant or absent in my life, help me always to believe in your closeness and loving presence.