SEVENTH STATION
Jesus Carries the Cross
V.Adoramus
te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R.Quia
per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
From the Gospel according to Mk 15,20
And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.
MEDITATION
Jesus has taken upon himself the
cross destined for each one of us. To our eyes, it seems the symbol of paradox
and contradiction. Even though he possessed the glory and the power given him by
the Father, Jesus accepted a horrific death, inglorious, even shameful. He knew
that the cross was the only way to penetrate the hidden depths of man; a violent
death, the one means of entering gently into our hearts. It is hard to bear this
paradoxical cross in the globalized world of today, dominated by economic,
political and military power. The powerful of this world join forces to wreak
vengeance, to strike poor and wearied peoples. Even terrorism is justified in
the name of "justice" and "defence" of the poor.
A violent message, sent by the powerful: it breaks violently upon our hearts,
turning them to stone. For this great part of humanity that suffers, for the
victims of violence and injustice, for these too Jesus carries the cross.
PRAYER
Grant us, O Lord, the strength
and courage
to share your cross and your sufferings
in our daily life and work.
Give us a spirit of service and sacrifice,
that we may not seek power and glory,
but strive to be an instrument of solidarity
and peace
for those crushed by the violence and injustice
of the powerful of this world.
With wonder and gratitude,
we greet you, Jesus,
as you bear the cross,
your face marked by fatigue:
all thanks to you with the Father and the Spirit
for ever and ever.
R.Amen.
All:
Pater noster, qui es in cælis:
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua, sicut in cælo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a malo.
Pro
peccatis suæ gentis
vidit Iesum in tormentis
et flagellis subditum.
Bruised,
derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child
All with bloody scourges rent.