Continuing our journey on this Way of the Cross, we will look on this second Friday of Lent on Stations 3 & 4.
STATION 3 - JESUS FALL THE FIRST TIME
Our third station is to reflect that in his journey to Calvary Jesus fell three times. This moment of reflection is on the first of those falls. Jesus, remember, had fasted and prayed, he had been arrested and scourged, handled cruelly and made to carry the instrument of his death, the cross. Whether it was the traditional image of the cross or simply the crossbeam as some say, it was a tremendous burden. And he stumbled and fell to the ground.
We often stumble and fall even when the burdens we carry are less severe and we are in better shape. The question is: "What do we do when we fall?" Do we lie there or do we get up and continue our journey? Do we keep going even when it is tough?
Jesus was weighed down not only with the wood of the cross, but with the rejection of his people, with the accusations of his religious leaders, with the condemnation of Pilate and the anger of the crowd, with the hatred that was the response to his love.
STATION 4 - JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER
Mary was there. She was comforted by John and Mary and her friends. She was a mother who was in true anguish and pain. We call Mary the sorrowful mother, for as Simeon had predicted, a sword of sorrow pierced her heart.
Pause and imagine what she was going through. Then pause and remember that as great as her sorrows were that day, she did not despair. She saw her son broken, but she saw His Son offered as a sacrifice for everyone. She would see him "lifted up" and she would see him raised from death.
Mary's sorrows (and joys) continue as she watches us continue to struggle to be free and to find in her son our true freedom. Mary, we love you! Pray for us!
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