The Seventh Station of the Cross

Reflection: Jesus falls for the second time. Jesus even though you have Simon to help you carry this wooden cross, you have sufferd so very much. We would not be able to withstand what you have undergone. Many of us flee our crosses and go in search of an easier route to avoid falling. The weight of our sins truly drags you down, yet you took our burdens and made them your own. How many begin in one faith but go off in search of one that fits their lifestyle. Particularly one that doesn't have a cross to carry. When we fall under our sins we flee rather than seek to reconcile with you. When we see others fall from the weight of their burdens, do we help them up and do as you do. Continue on the journey set before us, pulling ourselves up with faith in you as you do when you place yourself in God's loving hands as well.

Prayer: Please say an Our Father and Glory Be

The Sixth Station of the Cross

Reflection: Veronica wipes Jesus face with her veil. Out of the spectators that lined the way to Calvary, you came across a women whose heart was full of love for you. She dared to come close and offer to clean your beautiful face from the blood, sweat and spittle that covered it up. She saw with eyes of faith the truth of your divine presence. You rewarded her with your image on her veil for all ages to come to know of your love for mankind. And she kept it safe for future generations to come. Is our faith that strong in you as well? Do we believe in you as much as this woman did when she dared to come close to you in your suffering. When we see those around us suffer as well do we see you in them and come close to offer a cloth to help wipe away the turmoil that the world causes. Mostly do we do it with pure intentions where we will see the beauty of you in it.

Prayer: Please say an Our Father and Glory Be

The Fifth Station of the Cross

Reflection: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus. Jesus you are in pain and very very tired from all the wounds you have from the torture and continuous beating you receive. You suffer so much humiliation for our sake so we would not suffer the same. They take a person from the sidelines to help you carry the cross. A person who refused at first, but was made to do it. Even in this you suffer rejection. Do we do the same as Simon the Cyrene in our day? Refuse to help, and reject others because it might cost us to suffer humiliation as well. But as Simon found out when he looked into your bruised eyes, he saw love in their depths not pain and suffering. He saw gratitude in a helpless moment. Simon took that cross along with you and walked without ever realizing how truly heavy that cross was. How significant this moment was in Jesus' preaching about taking his yoke and finding our burdens easy. How loudly that message echos in this station of the cross. But it also tells us to help each other with their crosses as well. Something we don't do very well in our selfish world.

Prayer: Please say an Our Father and Glory Be

The Fourth Station of the Cross

Reflection: Jesus meets his mother. Jesus on the way to your death you see so many people watching you on the sidelines. But there is one who draws your eyes, who touches your heart. The very woman who gave you life in this human body. You console her even though your suffering is far greater than could be imagined. She sees your suffering as well and takes it to her heart, where it is pierced for love of God. She would take your place in a heartbeat, her love is so great. And this gives you added strength to continue to do your Father's will. How often do we seek out our heavenly mother to aide us on walk with you Jesus to give us strength to carry our crosses as well. She shows us to not forget her or you in our trials. She is there with us offering us comfort as she did for you the day you were led on a path not of your choosing. She is there on the same sidelines as the spectators but with a big difference, she is on your side and not against you. How much are we the spectators in our faith? Do we meet Jesus like his mother did that day and give him love and support and confort for the cross he carries for us?

Prayer: Please say an Our Father and Glory Be

The Third Station of the Cross

Reflection: Jesus falls for the first time. Jesus has fallen while carrying his cross. Shouldering a burden that weighs heavily upon him, it's not hard to imagine why he fell in the first place. He not only was beaten and tortured prior to the trials that brought him this far, but it's also our burdens that he carries with him as well. O God, how much our sins weigh upon Jesus as he takes them with him to his death. We must wonder how much he takes upon those mighty shoulders of his with also the weight of the wood of a natural cross. Our hearts should be as heavy as we too journey along with Jesus and fall under the weight of our sins as we realize what we truly do to Jesus when he only wanted to help and free us of these sins. We see him fall, we gasp in outrage, but do we take that step that will restore his strength so he can help us carry our crosses as well as his.

Prayer: Please say an Our Father and Glory Be