The Way of the Cross
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentence — St Paul of the Cross
The way of the Cross is the road which leads to Paradise; it is the sure way to holiness.
The Passion of Christ is the greatest and most stupendous work of Divine Love.
Station Ten – Jesus is stripped of his garments
Matthew 27:35 ESV
And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.
Reflections:
At the place of death the King of life is stripped of His clothes. Naked, He came into the world; naked, He is taken from the world. Vulnerable, exposed, God became man. He was a crying, helpless, dependent baby. Now, vulnerable, exposed, His heart, His life, His body all bared before the world, He will be hung up to be mocked. But God is not mocked – His very nakedness is a parable, a sacrament, a picture of the Father’s hurting heart exposed in love to us.
Approaching Easter: The Way of the Cross
Jesus permitted Himself to be despoiled of His garments on Calvary in order to teach us to renounce our own will when it is not conformable to the will of the Father. He wants us to strip ourselves of earthly affections and all inordinate love of the things of this world, so that we may clothe ourselves with the virtues of Christ.
Prayer
Lord, You were stripped of the robes You wore, but You were the same – it didn’t change You. Things meant little to You; You never hid behind them. You showed us the Father’s heart, so open and broken: may we be open to You, and to each other.
Lord, for our sake You left the riches of heaven and became poor. You came within our reach. May we be open to You, and to each other.
You did not hold on to even the little You had left to call Your own. May we be open to You, and to each other.
The nakedness of God was exposed before the world. Lord, O lovely Christ, may we be open to You, and to each other.
No robe was left now upon Your tired shoulders, just a crown of mockery on Your head. You were still a King. You loved, and won rejection and pain – but You still loved. May we be open to You, and to each other.
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You protect those who hope in You, Lord; without You there is no strength, no holiness. Extend your mercy ever more and more to us; that drawn by You, we may use the good things of this world only in passing and not lose the treasures of heaven. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Peanut Gallery: A brief word of explanation – the general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) The Scripture readings are primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John will be included along the way.
Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.
On Sundays, I’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world.
Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.
The Peanut Gallery 