Good Friday: John 14:15-18 ~ Jesus falls a third 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 Nine – Jesus falls the third time

Station 9 - Jesus falls a third time — Station 9 – Jesus falls a third time

John 14:15-18 ESV

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

Reflections:

Jesus fell again. Oh God, how many times must I fall and pick up that cross again? As many as seven times? Or seventy times seven times? Forever; until this never-ending road is ended; until the impossible is completed, the unbearable borne through all eternity.

For the sake of My children, My sons, My loved ones, My bride, My people, I must go on. I will not, I must not, give up now. The way of sorrows, the way of pain, the way of self-renunciation, the way of My cross.

Approaching Easter: The Way of the Cross

Let us be glad when we are afflicted and the cross is most heavy on our shoulders, because then if we suffer with the patience of Christ we will begin to be His disciples.

–Saint Paul of the Cross

Prayer

How long the road You came for us, Lord, with Your smarting burden! O Lord, Your love has no limits.

You picked up the weight of Your cross, the weight of our sins. We are Your burden, an overwhelming burden; but that burden is sweet to You because of the love You also bear us, an over-whelming love. Your love has no limits.

Lord, I know You can forgive me: Your love has no limits.
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O Lord, may our human weakness be sustained by Your merciful help, so that while our human nature is frail, it may be strengthened by Your divine clemency. 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.

Good Friday: Luke 23:27; Matthew 25:35, 36-40 ~ Jesus speaks to the weeping women

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 Eight – Jesus speaks to the weeping women

Station 8 - Jesus consoles the women — Station 8 – Jesus consoles the women

Luke 23:27; Matthew 25:35, 36-40 ESV

And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him.
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‘I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘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 welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Reflections:

As Jesus continued, painfully stumbling along the road to Calvary, a group of women joined themselves to the procession, wailing in the manner normally considered appropriate for a funeral procession. But Jesus told them instead to cry out to God for themselves and their own children.

Approaching Easter: The Way of the Cross

The most holy Passion of Jesus Christ is the most efficacious means to convert obstinate sinners, because meditation on the sufferings of our Savior has power to root out vice and implant love and holy fear of God in the soul.

–Saint Paul of the Cross

Prayer

Lord, some of us are never far from tears, and some of us have forced ourselves not to cry. Bring our tears into Your captivity and direction, that they respond to Your voice. You have the words of eternal life.

Lord, You have the words of ewternal life.
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O God, you choose rather to be merciful than to be angry with those who hope in you. Grant that we may truly grieve for the evil we have done, and so deserve to obtain the grace of your consolation. 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: Matthew 11:28-30 ~ Jesus falls the second 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 Seven – Jesus falls the second time

Station 7 - Jesus falls a second time — Station 7 – Jesus falls a second time

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Reflections:

The pain, the exhaustion, the love that drives Him on – but the cross is so heavy. Again He falls beneath the weight; and in bitter resolution – Thy will be done – and in fatigue, Jesus again drives Himself up against the cross, and carries it on towards the fatefull Hill of Death.

Approaching Easter: The Way of the Cross

The greater number of Christians live unmindful of all that Jesus, our Life, has done and suffered. That is why they live on, sleeping in the night of iniquity.

–Saint Paul of the Cross

Prayer

Will it never end? I’m not as sure as when I started. I never knew it would be like this. But this is my firm choice: Lord, I will go on with You.

Lord, often I fall, and the temptation is not to rise again and continue with You. When I fall and others watch and laugh, or say, “I told you so, you’ll never make it,” give me strength to fulfill my promise: Lord, I will go on with You.

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O God, our help, look upon us, so that we who are oppressed by the weight of our sins, may through Your mercy, serve You in freedom of spirit. 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: 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.

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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

_____________________________________

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.
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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.