For centuries, the
three great Pilgrimage destinations were Rome, Santiago de Compostela and
Jerusalem. Rome – to the tomb of St. Peter & all the holy sites. Santiago –
to the tomb of St. James. And Jerusalem to the holy places, but most especially
the tomb of Jesus Christ.
These trips were
costly and dangerous. But the Franciscans came up with a great idea – we will
bring Jerusalem to the people – and the Stations of the Cross were born.
Artists began to sketch the holy places, and they were hung in churches. The
number went from 7 to 24, but eventually they settled on 14.
They are called
Stations – stationary standing places. We are invited to stand before each
Station for 2 reasons: First – to meditate upon the scene. Second – to enter
into it. That is, to become a
participant!
Some examples:
1) Pilate Condemns Jesus to death. Did he have
to? He seems to have some understanding that Jesus is innocent. He thought, let’s
torture Jesus for a bit. Maybe that will be enough. Not good enough. Well, let’s
release 1 prisoner, but they chose Barabbas. Now what? – I wash my hands.
Should know better! Should stand up for the truth but I did not.
4) Jesus meets his Mother. Mary’s heart is broken. She wants to help
him but she can’t. She would have gladly changed places with Him. Mary is every
parent who tried to save their children. She is every parent who stands
watching in a hospital or at a drug treatment center. Every parent who has
prayed that their child would end a sinful lifestyle or who has left the faith.
They instead stand silently offer their prayers and their tears.
5) Simon is forced to carry the cross. Simon stands for all the people
who carry crosses they did not want or bargain for – cancer, addiction, sick
parent or child, divorce, job loss, depression.
Yet Simon, first forced to carry the cross, then began to understand,
then he began to love this man, and his whole family would become followers of
Jesus.
6) Veronica – she stops and shows compassions. She walks with Him even
when nothing else can be done. She could have run away, but she did not.
9) Jesus falls a 3rd time. You may say I know this station
from experience. I keep falling. I am trapped in this habit of sin. I keep gossiping, quick judgments,
anger, misuse of internet. I keep
falling Stations should say – Jesus GETS
UP the third time.
12) Jesus dies on the cross – Father forgive them, they know not what
they do. Help me to get rid of grudges and holding on to a hard heart. Jesus
had a deeper love. Might I learn the same love?
14) Into the Tomb – I am empty, there is no hope. All is darkness. A
loveless marriage, a dead end job, a bad relationship. Where is God? Faith is
routine and empty. The stone has been placed over the tomb. But is that stone
going to stay there forever.
And now we understand – unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground
and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat – but if it dies, it produces much
fruit – 1 grain can produce 70 grains.
The Stations of the Cross – a wonderful way to prepare for Holy Week
and Easter!
