04/03/2023
A Journey Through the Stations Of The Cross in the Holy Cross Tradition
STATION ONE: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH
Reflection Questions
When was the last time someone "condemned", or accused you wrongly? How did you deal with it? Did you abuse the other in return or turn the other cheek? Did you get defensive? Did you stop to ask God to help you respond well? As you answer these questions, evaluate your behavior but do not judge yourself. He told us not to judge. others, and He meant that for us, too. Be a scientist, not a judge. Ask yourself what you can learn from the situation.
Jesus silently accepted His sentence. The serenity prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. What do you need to accept silently?
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
God, help me to accept the things I cannot change.
Lord, keep one hand on my shoulder, and the other on my mouth. (Anon.)
STATION 2: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS
Reflection Questions
What is your cross on the physical level?
The emotional level (feelings of hurt, anger, resentment, etc. that you have a hard time letting go of)?
The relationship level ( with respect to family, friends, church people, neighbors, people at work, and others)?
Then spiritual level (temptations that assail you, despairing feelings, anger with God, feeling like you're losing your faith, etc)?
To whom do you go for help with all the above? What keeps you from seeking support?
Do you realize the Cross is a plus sign? Do you believe God will bring something good out of your cross the way He brought good out of His (Resurrection, forgiveness, Christian community?
STATION 3: JESUS FALLS. THE FIRST TIME
Reflection Questions
When you fall into wrong-doing or sin, are you aware of what led up to it? As 12-Step Anonymous groups remind us, keep the word HALT in mind.
H - Don't let yourself get too hungry.
A - Don't let yourself get too angry.
L - Don't let yourself get too lonely. (Pick up the phone and ask somebody how s/he is doing or offer to pray a prayer with them.)
T - Don't let yourself get too tired
With whom should you stop hanging around so as to not be tempted to do wrong?
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
Lord, help me not to get too hungry.
Lord, help me not to get too angry.
Lord, help me not to get too lonely.
Lord, help me not to get too tired.
Forgive me, Lord, and thank you for Your mercy
STATION 4: JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER
Reflection Questions
Think of a time when you knew your mother was feeling compassion for you. Can you imagine God’s compassion for you when you are hurting?
Can you imagine God’s compassion for you when you do wrong or commit sin? (Yes, He has compassion for us in those moments because He knows that wrong-doing and sin have negative consequences for our lives and that we will eventually suffer because of that.)
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
My Jesus, mercy.
Thank you for your compassion, Lord.
STATION 5: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the Cross
Reflection Questions
What people has God sent into your life to help you carry your crosses?
For whom have you been a Simon of Cyrene?
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
Thank you, Lord, for sending __________ to help me.
Lord, help me be a Simon of Cyrene for___________.
STATION 6: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Reflection Questions
Who are some people who have helped you cry?
Whom are some people you have you helped cry?
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
Lord, help me to be a comfort to_________.
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
Lord, remind me not to worry about what to say. Remind me my presence is what is important. (This can be helpful at the funeral parlor and other venues where you find someone in grief.)
Lord, thank you for being Veronica to me.
STATION 7: Jesus falls the second time.
Reflection Questions
How discouraged do you get about repeating a wrong-doing or sin?
Whom do you call upon to help you not be discouraged - The Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Mother Mary, a favorite saint?
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
Lord, give me the strength to get up again.
Lord, help me let go of the past.
Every dawn’s a new beginning.
STATION 8: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
Reflection Questions
What crosses do you need to cry about (without throwing yourself a pity party)?
How do you feel when you share your hurt with someone you trust?
What prevents you from having a good cry?
Have you asked God to help you cry?
Do you cry too much?
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
Lord, help me to cry appropriately.
Lord, help to just listen rather than give advice.
STATION 9: Jesus falls the third time.
Reflection Questions
How patient are you with yourself?
How patient are you with others when they fall down in some way?
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
Slow me down, Lord.
Lord, help me rely on your strength, not mine.
STATION 10: Jesus is stripped of His garments
Reflection Questions
When have you been humiliated recently? How did that make you feel?
How aware are you of your dignity as a child of God- especially when someone treats you badly?
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
Lord, forgive me for expecting to be treated better than you.
Lord, forgive those who persecute me and my loved ones.
STATION 11: Jesus is Nailed To the Cross
Reflection Questions
Who nails you to a cross of some kind?
What hurt might they be experiencing that would cause them to hurt you?
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
Lord, heal him/her from his/her hurt.
Lord, help me have compassion for__________.
STATION 12: Jesus Dies On The Cross
Reflection Questions
When are those times you feel God is dead to your requests?
How patient are you waiting for his response?
Do you believe He really hears and does respond to each request even though we don’t see evidence of it?
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
Jesus, I believe in you. (Btw, belief is a decision, not a feeling. Don’t be discouraged by darkness.)
Jesus, thank You for believing in me.
STATION 13: Jesus is Taken From The Cross
Reflection Questions
What feelings arise in you when you gaze at an image (in your mind or elsewhere) of Mary holding the dead body of her son?
Who are some of the people of whom you had, have a hard time letting go?
Have you asked Mary to help you let go?
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
Lord, I give my pain to You.
Lord, I believe in the communion of the saints.
Mention the name of a dearly deceased and repeat silently or out loud any of the following: __________
I love you.
I am sorry for____________.
Help me to__________.
STATION 14: Jesus Is Laid In The Tomb.
Reflection Questions
When are those times you feel despairing or hopeless?
Who, what helps you in those moments?
Do you seek help from the Scriptures?
Have you considered spiritual direction from your parish or a retreat center?
Choose a mantra or make up your own:
Lord, I believe in You even when I don’t feel You.
The Cross is my supreme hope. (It always brings a resurrection of some kind in God’s time.)
