The National Catholic Broadcasting Council presents Let Us Reflect Together 40 Days of Lent Retreat from the Cross to Hope. Day 35, The Way of the Cross, Stations 1, 2, 3, 4. Condemned, burdened, and not alone, with the late Father Pat Fitzpatrick.
SPEAKER_02Jesus, God with us, was once a condemned criminal who stumbled, fell, got up again, and kept going to the bitter end. Jesus knew what it was to suffer. This is the cup the Father has given me, he had said. Shall I not drink it? God suffered in Jesus. God continues to suffer in millions of people. We come face to face with Christ in those who suffer. Today we follow in Jesus' footsteps from Pilate's palace to Calvary. We mark ourselves with the sign of the cross and walk the way of the cross.
SPEAKER_01Soon his body will be lying in the darkness of the tomb.
SPEAKER_03Jesus came out wearing a crown of thorns and a purple robe. Pilate said to the crowd, Here is the man. They cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Then Pilate handed him over to be crucified.
SPEAKER_02We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
SPEAKER_03Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
SPEAKER_02The religious leaders sought the death penalty for Jesus. He was more than they could take. But the death penalty was not theirs to carry out. So they brought him to Pilate. I will have him flogged and let him go, said that crowd pleaser. You're no friend of Caesar if you let him go, they replied. Crucify him, crucify him, said the crowd. They had their way. Pilate released Barabbas and sentenced Jesus to death. Mob justice. The guilty are let off, the innocent are convicted. This is the cup the Father has given me. Shall I not drink it?
SPEAKER_01God's own mother pure as Madden seized us in less ones in laden. Blessed fruits of blessed womb.
SPEAKER_03The second station. Jesus carries his cross. Carrying the cross by himself. Jesus went out to what is called the place of the skull.
SPEAKER_02A soldier at the head of the procession, a box of Roman legionaries around the prisoner. A two-meter cross beam to which he would be nailed was placed on his shoulder. His final walk of about 600 meters had begun. Crosses come in different shapes and sizes. How well do I carry my cross, my health, my moods, my tensions, my handicaps, my job, my family, the way I'm treated. This is the cup the Father has given me. Shall I not drink it?
SPEAKER_01Mary's heart for him is aching as she sees her son's heart breaking, so that love may be revealed.
SPEAKER_03The third station. Upon him was the punishment that made us whole.
SPEAKER_02The cross beam began to sway, and Jesus staggered. In a moment he pitched forward. The beam hit the ground, hung standing for a second, then dragged him down to the cobblestones. Crosses never fit snugly onto shoulders. They get heavier with each succeeding step. We struggle to stay on our feet. We collapse under the weight of our particular cross. We fall flat on our face. This is the cup the Father has given me. Shall I not drink it?
SPEAKER_01Now at last her heart is feeling, sorrow sordus unrefealing, such in many hearts concealed.
SPEAKER_03The fourth station. Jesus meets his mother, Mary. Simeon had said to Jesus' mother, Mary, a sword will pierce your own soul too.
SPEAKER_02Stations four, five, and six remind us that Jesus found encouragement and assistance along the way. Mary was there, as always, wanting to do something, anything, forced to look on helplessly. He half hoped she wouldn't have to see him like this. Yet her presence renewed his strength. How many mothers suffer with their children and for their children as they watch them struggle, see them fall, and have to let them go? This is the cup the Father has given me. Shall I not drink it?
SPEAKER_01How could pity not awaken for the Son of God forsaken in the loneliness of death?
SPEAKER_00Join us tomorrow for Day thirty six, the Way of the Cross, Stations five, six, seven, eight, Strength Along the Way with the late Father Pat Fitzpatrick. For more information, please email us at info at ncbc.ca, visit our website at dailytvmass.com, or call our office toll-free at one eight eight eight three eight three six two seven seven seven seven seven seven.