Good Friday: Psalm 69: 8-9 ~ Veronica wipes Jesus’ face

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 Six – Veronica wipes Jesus’ face

Station 6 - Veronica wipes Jesus' face — Station 6 – Veronica wipes Jesus’ face

Psalm 69: 8-9 ESV

I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother’s sons. For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.

Reflections:

An act of compassion. A woman called Veronica places a cool cloth upon His hot and tired face. He feels the coolness of the cloth, and the love with which it is offered. And through His pain He smiles – a smile never to be lost, never to be extinguished. She reaches out to touch His face, and He leans His head into her hands, within her reach.

Oh, blessed day! The Master touched her life, her heart, her outstretched hands. What faith! What lovely face! What timeless meeting… O blessed Christ.

Approaching Easter: The Way of the Cross

The remembrance of the most holy Passion of Jesus Christ is the door through which the soul enters into intimate union with God, interior recollection and most sublime contemplation. It must be impressed deeply on our souls as we allow ourselves to be immersed in His bitter sufferings, for through these the love of God is enkindled in us and we will then be plunged in the abyss of the divinity.

–Saint Paul of the Cross

Prayer

Christ of the human road, let us, like Veronica, reach out to touch You, and, sweet Christ, show us Your lovely face.

Legend or living person, Veronica, by example, teaches us to be Your witness, that others may gaze into Your loving eyes and know Your smile. Show us Your lovely face.

As we see Your face by faith, we learn to become like You, Lord Christ. That the world may see Your glory: show us Your lovely face.

_____

Omnipotent and eternal God, comfort of the afflicted and support of those in trouble, listen to the pleading of suffering humanity so that all men may rejoice in having received the help of Your mercy in all their needs. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

_____________________________________

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.

Good Friday: Matthew 27:32 ~ Simon helps Jesus carry his cross

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 Five – Simon helps Jesus carry his cross

Station 5- Simon carries Jesus' cross — Station 5- Simon carries Jesus’ cross

Matthew 27:32 ESV

As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross.

Reflections:

Simon carried the cross of Christ. At first it was just a tiresome and unwelcome task he was forced into by the soldiers; only later did he recognize his privilege in shouldering the burden of the One who made the worlds.

He was compelled to carry the cross part of the way for Jesus. Simon, himself a stranger, an outcast, often misunderstood, perhaps identified with Jesus, and felt the gratitude of this Man above all men; and amid the pirty Simon felt for Him, he felt a burning compassion flowing back to him from Jesus, a burning, life-changing love. Simon carried the cross of Jesus.

Approaching Easter: The Way of the Cross

Those who suffer tribulations, suffering, persecutions, and are despised for the love of God are helping Jesus Christ carry His cross. If they persevere, they will be partakers of His glory in heaven.

–Saint Paul of the Cross

Prayer

As Simon took the weight of the cross from Jesus, You have taught us that we must bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. May we carry Your cross.

Simon was just passing by, but suddenly he was compelled to change direction, and, with all his strength given to the carrying of the cross, pressed through the crowds to the Place of the Skull, Golgatha, Calvary.

Sweet Jesus, like Simon, may we carry Your cross.
_____

Lord, You are the strength of those who hope in You. Listen favorably to our prayers; and since human weakness can do nothing without Your help, may Your grace assist us in the keeping of Your commandments and in pleasing You by our desires and our actions. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

_____________________________________

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.

Good Friday: Luke 2: 34-35 ~ Jesus meets His mother

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 Four – Jesus meets His mother

Station 4 - Jesus meets His mother — Station 4 – Jesus meets His mother

Luke 2:34-35 ESV

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Reflections:

As Jesus again shouldered the cross, and bore its burden, He glanced ahead and saw His mother. He could not stop to talk, to explain, to gather her in His arms and comfort her. All His energy was being soaked into that cross.

Who are My mother and brothers? Those who do the will of My Father.

Not My will, Father, but Yours.

Approaching Easter: The Way of the Cross

The Sorrowful Mother seeks her Divine Son, Jesus; she meets him on the way to Calvary; she sees Him bound, crowned with thorns, with the cross on his shoulders. Blessed Mary, we also have been your sorrow that, like a sharp and unrelenting sword has pierced your soul.

–Saint Paul of the Cross

Prayer

Lord, You had to leave the security of home and family, twice. You left Your Father to be a man with us, and left Your human family to die for us. You had to pray to Your Father: My God, I trust in You.

Lord, when we leave all and follow You and it hurts those we love, help us to know that You have been there, too; that no one leaves behind father, mother, or loved one but is more than rewarded in the end. Help us to pray: My God, I trust in You.

Lord, when Your cross pierces our own desires, and make us call out, let our cry be, through our pain: My God, I trust in You.

_____

O Lord Jesus Christ, grant that now and in the hour of our death we may obtain the favor of your mercy. Blessed Mother, whose soul was pierced with a sword of sorrow, may we not add to your sorrow, in the hour of Your Son’s Passion, Who lives and reigns forever and ever, Amen.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

_____________________________________

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.

Good Friday: Matthew 16:24-26 ~ Jesus falls the first time

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 Three – Jesus falls the first time

Station 3 - Jesus falls for the first time — Station 3 – Jesus falls for the first time

Matthew 16:24-26 ESV

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Reflections:

Jesus had willingly embraced the cross, but His physical body was weak from lack of sleep, from the pressures of arrest and trial, and from torture and beating.

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Jesus said, Yes, but His body hesitated and He fell to His knees, determining to rise again even in His weakness.

Approaching Easter: The Way of the Cross

Come and see our Savior enduring so much suffering, so many insults, and oppressed with the heavy burden of the cross, for love of us. Contemplate the Son of God, Redeemer of the world, and how much He is suffering. O Jesus in Your sufferings I see the gravity of my sins. Lord have mercy!

–Saint Paul of the Cross

Prayer

Lord, You were scourged and shouldered Your cross, but Your body was weak. Your Body is still weak: Your people shrink from the weight of suffering. In our weakness, Lord – Your will be done.

Jesus, You were first a carpenter, build us into what You desire, and secure every joint tightly, that we may hold together. Plane the rough surfaces of our relationships. We are Your workmanship – Your will be done.

Jesus, You said “YES” to the Father’s will; and only Your body hesitated. May we, Your Body, no longer hesitate, but follow You in obedience, saying – Your will be done.

_____

Grant we beseech You, O Almighty God, that we who fail in so many adversities through our own weakness may take heart again through the pleading of the Passion of Your only-begotten Son Who lives and reigns with You forever and ever, Amen..

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

_____________________________________

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.

Good Friday: John 19:1-16 ~ Jesus is condemned to death

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 One – Jesus is condemned

John 19:1-16 ESV

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.

Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!”

When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!”

Station 1 - Jesus is condemned — Station 1 – Jesus is condemned

Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.”

The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.”

When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?”

Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”

So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”

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.”

So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

Reflections:

His accusers brought many false charges against Jesus, but He spoke not a word in His own defence. “Crucify him!” they shouted.

Pilate washed his hands, to show the decision was not his own, but he did not dare to side publicly with Jesus; instead, he was willing to content the people.

So Jesus was condemned to death.

Approaching Easter: The Way of the Cross

It is necessary that we accept the cross of tribulation willingly, at least with the higher part of our soul, as Jesus accepted His condemnation in perfect conformity to the will of the Father.

–Saint Paul of the Cross

Prayer

Lord, when You were misunderstood, You silently forgave; but we so often respond in anger. Lord have mercy.

Lord, You gave us opportunity to choose Jesus, but for so long we have chosen the rebellion that demanded Your death. Lord have mercy.
_____

All powerful and eternal God, You have given as a model to us Christ your Son, our Savior, who became man and was humiliated unto death on the cross: grant that we may always keep present before us the lesson He taught us by His Passion, so that we may share in the glory of His resurrection, Who lives and reigns forever and ever, Amen.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

_____________________________________

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.