Below is the scriptural stages of the Cross, with my reflections over the weekend and a prayer. Blessings
First Station: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-41: Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me." He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will." When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Reflections: here we look out at biblical strength and wisdom, the Son of God in prayer. Christ teaches us that in all activity, the first activity is prayer. Also here we see the first drops of atoning blood, a for taste of the work to come.
Prayer: Lord, give us the blessing won at Gethsemane. Give us a heart of prayer. May our prayers grow to faintly resemble our Lord's heart, give over to worship, willing to choose your will even if it is hard. May it be granted to us the strength and wisdom found in the first drops of shed blood sprinkled on the altar of prayer. And in so ground us in Gethsemane' strength and wisdom won by Christ that we may seek to follow God's will in all things.
Second Station: Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested
Mark 14: 43-46: Then, while [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, "the man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely." He came and immediately went over to him and said, "Rabbi." And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.
Reflections: A symbol of friendship was bent into a sign of betrayal. Who knows Judas motives? No one knows why, he did what he did. What is clear is Jesus did not respond to betrayal with bitterness. He responded only to the will of the Father not the malice of men. He responded with Gospel!
Prayer: Lord, grant us the courage of our convictions, that you are sufficient for all our needs, that our lives may faithfully reflect the good news you bring. And when we are touched by the betrayer's kiss me we respond with Gospel.
Third Station: Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin
Luke 22: 66-71: When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us," but he replied to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied to them, "You say that I am." Then they said, "What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth.
Reflections:
Unlike the progression of the day, hearts remain dark long after daylight turns to noonday. We are all the Sanhedrin. We have all pass judgment on Jesus. We have all tried to build our own kingdom. We are all in need of his righteousness to dispels all the darkness. We are all in need of his discerning light, so we may live as a people of daylight justice in a dark world. Power struggles are messy, only because we struggle for power instead of working for his justice in the service of our king.
Prayer:
Lord, give us the grace to loose the struggle for power, empower trust to win in our hearts. Grant us an sense of what moves your heart, an understanding of what makes you smile and a knowledge of your righteousness that we may never cease to work, to bring about the justice of the kingdom that you promised.
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