Thursday, March 31, 2011

Stations of the Cross, Eleventh Station

Eleventh Station

Jesus is nailed to the Cross


We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you
because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world

When they came to Golgotha, the place called the Skull, they crucified Jesus and the robbers, one of his right and the other on his left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Lk. 23, 33-34; Jn. 19, 18)

Reflection: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me, far from my prayer, far from the words of my cry? O my God, I cry out by day, and you answer not; I cry out by night, and there is no relief for me. All my bones are racked. My heart has become like wax melting away within my chest. My throat is dried up like baked clay, my tongue cleaves to my jaws; they have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones. (Ps. 21, 2-3, 15-16, 17b)


Let us pray: Lord and Saviour, You have told us that we too must accept crucifixion if we are to accept resurrection with You. Help us to rejoice in the sufferings that come with the fulfillment of our daily duties, seeing in them the royal road of the cross to the resurrection.

Click on the picture for a link to an excellently done page on the Catholic Stations of the Cross.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Stations of the Cross, Tenth Station

The Tenth Station

Jesus is stripped of his clothes


We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you,
because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

They gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall; but when he had tasted it, he would not drink. Then after they had crucified him, they divided his clothes, casting lots, to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet, "They divided my clothes among them, and upon my garments they cast lots." (Mt. 27, 34 and 35)

Reflection: Happy is the man whom God chastises! Do not reject the punishment of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he binds up; he smites, but his hands give healing. Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak; I looked for comforters, and I found none. Rather they put gall in my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (Job 5, 17 and 18; Ps. 68, 21 and 22)

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, stripped of everything, you stood exposed to the jeers and contempt of the people whom You loved. Clothe us with genuine love of others, so that nothing we suffer may ever fill our hearts with hatred or bitterness. Amen.


Click on the picture for a link to an excellently-done corresponding page on the Catholic Stations of the Cross.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Stations of the Cross, Ninth Station

The Ninth Station

Jesus falls a third time


We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you,
because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

I lie prostrate in the dust; give me life according to your word. I declared my ways, and you answered me; teach me your commands. Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds. My sould weeps for sorrow; strengthen me with your words. (Ps. 118, 25 to 28)

Reflection: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid? When evildoers come at me to devour my flesh, my foes and my enemies themselves stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war be waged upon me, even then will I trust. (Ps. 26, 1 to 3)

Let us pray: Almighty and eternal God, You permitted your Son to be weakened, crushed, and profaned so that He might rise from the dead freed from the ravages of sin. Help us to accept our weaknesses and failings as forerunners of our glorious resurrection in union with your Son. Amen.


Click on the picture for a link to an excellently-done corresponding page on the Catholic Stations of the Cross.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Stations of the Cross, Eighth Station

The Eighth Station

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem


We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you,
because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

There was following Jesus a great crowd of people, and among them were some women who were bewailing and lamenting him. Jesus turning to them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children." (Luke 23, 27 and 28)

Reflection: Come, all you who pass by the way, look and see whether there is any suffering like my suffering, suffering with which the Lord has afflicted me on the day of his blazing wrath. At this I weep, my eyes run with tears: far from me are all who could console me, far away are any who might revive me. (Lam. 1, 12 and 16)

Let us pray: Beloved Jesus, with tears of pity these women of Jerusalem responded to You, broken, bruised, and beaten, on the road to Calvary. Deepen our faith, we beg You, so that we may see You in our brothers and sisters, bruised by our envy, beaten down by injustice, and broken by our greed and our indifference. Amen.

Click on the picture for a link to an excellently-done corresponding page on the Catholic Stations of the Cross.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Stations of the Cross, Seventh Station

The Seventh Station

Jesus falls the second time





We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you,
because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

It was our weaknesses that he carried, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one struck by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the punishment that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all. (Is. 53, 4 to 6)

Reflection: Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and uttered no cry. When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people, a grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. (Is. 53, 7 and 9)

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, You shared in our weaknesses and accepted our guilt. Grand us the favor of rejoicing over our human weaknesses, so that in all we do, Your strength, swelling in us, may be shown to all others. Amen.

Click on the picture for a link to an excellently-done corresponding page on the Catholic Stations of the Cross.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Stations of the Cross, Sixth Station

The Sixth Station

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you,
because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

"Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?" And answering the kind will say to them, "Amen, I say to you, as long as you did it for one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it for me." (Mt. 25, 37 to 40)

Reflection: A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; for he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself. (Sirach 6, 14 to 17)

Let us pray: Almighty and ever-loving God, we feel your love and understanding in the consolation and support we receive from one another. Give us, we beg You, the courage and dedication to sacrifice and suffer with those who are in need, the least of your people. Amen.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Stations of the Cross, Fifth Station

Fifth Station

Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You,
because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

And when they had mocked Jesus, they took the purple cloak off and put his own clothes on him, and they led him out to be crucified. Then they forced a certain passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, to take up his cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, a name meaning 'the place of the skull'. (Mk. 15, 20 to 22)

Reflection: With a loud voice I cry out to the Lord; with a loud voice I beseech the Lord. My complaint I pour out before him; before him I lay bare my distress. When my spirit is faint within me, you know my path. In the way along which I walk they have hid a trap for me. I look to the right to see, but there is no one who pays me heed. I have lost all means of escape; there is no one who cares for my life. (Ps. 141, 2 to 5)

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, help us to see in the sufferings and shortcomings of our lives a share in Your Cross; strengthen and console us in the belief that we bear all things in union with You, who have taken upon Yourself even our guilt. Amen.

Click on the picture for a link to an excellently-done corresponding page on the Catholic Stations of the Cross.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Stations of the Cross, Fourth Station

Fourth Station

Jesus meets his afflicted mother

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You,
because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Now there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (John 19, 25 to 27)

Reflection: To what can I compare you, O daughter Jerusalem? What example can I show you for your comfort, virgin daughter Sion? For great as the sea is your distress; who can heal you? (Lam. 2, 13)

Let us pray: O blessed Lord, at your passion a sword of sorrow pierced the loving heart of your mother as Simeon had foretold. Grant that we who look back on her sorrows with compassion might receive the healing fruits of your sufferings. Amen.

Click on the picture for a link to an excellently-done corresponding page on the Catholic Stations of the Cross.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Stations of the Cross, Third Station

Third Station

Jesus falls the first time

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love what is its own. Because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I have spoken to you: No servant is greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. (John 15, 18 to 20)

Reflection: Why are your clothes red, and your garments like those of the wine presser? "The wine press I have trodden alone, and of my people there was no one with me. I trod them in my anger, and trampled them down in my wrath; their blood spurted on my garments and I stained all my clothes. I looked about, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that there was no one to lend support; so my own arm brought about the victory." (Is. 63, 2 to 5)

Let us pray: O God, to free us from sin and weakness your Son, Jesus Christ, embraced his fearful passion and crucifixion. Strengthen us in our baptismal resolutions by which we renounced sin and Satan, so that through the passion of this life's sufferings we might rise to new life of joyful service free of all selfishness. Amen.

Click on the picture for a link to an excellently-done corresponding page on the Catholic Stations of the Cross.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Stations of the Cross, Second Station

Second Station

Jesus carries his Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You,
because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

And Pilate said to the Jews, "Behold, your king!" But they cried out, "Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your king?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. And so they took Jesus and led him away, bearing the cross for himself. (John 19, 14 to 17)

Reflection: Who would believe what we have heard? To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth; there was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, no appearance that would attract us to him. He was rejected and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom men turn away, and we held him in no esteem. (Is. 53, 1 to 3)

Let us pray: Father in heaven, your Son, Jesus Christ, still carries his Cross in his persecuted brothers and sisters throughout the world. Make us feel the needs of all persons so that we might as readily help them as we would help Jesus himself. Amen.

Click on the picture for a link to an excellently-done corresponding page on the Catholic Stations of the Cross.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

When Twins Are Too Quiet . . .


....at least it wasn't with Sharpies.

Stations of the Cross, First Station

First Station

Jesus is condemned to death


We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You,
because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Again the high priest began to ask him, and said to him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" And Jesus said to him, "I am. And you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven." But the high priest tore his garments and said, "What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" And they all condemned him as liable to death. ( Mark 14, 61 to 64)

Reflection: The kings of the earth rise up, and the princes conspire together against the Lord and against his Anointed. I will proclaim the decree of the Lord; the Lord said to me: 'You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession." (Psalm 2, 2 & 7-8)

Let us pray: All-powerful and eternal God, for proclaiming the truth you Son, Jesus Christ, is condemned to death by crucifixion. Stir up your love in our hearts so that we might be ever faithful to all that You have told us, and fear nothing more than the loss of your friendship through sin. Amen.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Stations of the Cross, Opening Prayer

Over the next two weeks, I am going to reprint here the weekly devotional that our parish holds every Friday during Lent. This devotion can take many different forms, but essentially it is a meditation on the final hours of the life of Christ. It may have its origin in the pilgrimages that the faithful used to make to holy places, particularly Jerusalem.

I have chosen to share this because having attended Stations faithfully for the past, um...10? 15? years, these prayers and reflections have continued to impress themselves on me in different and deeper ways not only every year, but almost every time I read them. I hope that by sharing them, it can be a blessing for someone else as well. Please excuse any typos - my keyboard is acting up and some may slip past me.

Opening prayer

Jesus came with his disciples to a country place called Gethsemani, and he said to them, "Sit down here, while I go over yonder and pray." Then he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and he began to be saddened and exceedingly troubled. He said to them, "My soul is sad, even unto death. Wait here and watch with me." He went forward a little, and falling prostrate he prayed, saying, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; yet not as I will but as you will." (Mt. 26, 36 to 39)

Almighty and eternal Father, accept our prayer of thanksgiving for your Beloved Son, our Saviour and Lord. As we recall his Sacred Passion send the Spirit of Christ into our hearts, we beg You, so that whether we pray or work we might do all in union with Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Irish Blessing

May those who love us, love us
And those who don't love us,
May God turn their hearts
And if he can't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles
So we will know them by their limping!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Two Hairless Collages

REGINA @ 3 MONTHS


BD, 1 WEEK LATER. HE'S GOING TO HATE THIS.