The Way of the Cross. All Saints Episcopal Church 3001 Meeting Street Hilton Head Island, SC, 29926

Transcription

1 The Way of the Cross All Saints Episcopal Church 3001 Meeting Street Hilton Head Island, SC, 29926

2 The Way of the Cross Throughout the Gospels we see Jesus going places: Jesus went to Capernaum, Jesus went into the synagogue, Jesus went out beside the lake, Jesus went up on a mountain, and taught them, Jesus went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. But Christians from earliest times have recognized that his last journey from the Garden of Gethsemane, to the courtyard of Caiaphas, the palace of Pontius Pilate, and finally to Golgotha is the most significant. This booklet is a meditation on the Way of the Cross, as narrated in the Gospels. As such, it is also an invitation to listen for God s gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12) teaching us how to live our lives, and helping us to understand that our own suffering, like Jesus suffering, may have great meaning.

3 The worshippers assemble in silence After a pause, the officiant begins the devotion as all make the sign of the Cross: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let us pray. All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

4 The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?... God s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God s weakness is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:18, 21, 25) Amen. The people now move to the first stop.

5 I JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

6 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, Pray that you will not fall into temptation. He withdrew about a stone s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. (Luke 22:39-45) All: My spirit faints within me; my heart within me is desolate I spread out my hands to you; my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land. (Psalm 143:4, 6) Lord, help us to follow your example and do what we are called to do in life, even if we feel alone and overwhelmed. Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

7 II JESUS IS ARRESTED

8 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, Rabbi! and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him Am I leading a rebellion, said Jesus, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled. Then everyone deserted him and fled. (Mark 14:43-50) All: God has left me at the mercy of malefactors and cast me into the clutches of wicked men. (Job 16: 11) Lord, help us to have the strength to stand by those who need our help. Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

9 III JESUS IS CONDEMNED BY THE SANHEDRIN

10 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God. You have said so, Jesus replied Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more Witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think? He is worthy of death, they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you? (Matthew 26: 57-67) All: They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adder s poison is under their lips. The proud have hidden a snare for me and stretched out a net of cords. (Psalm 140: 3, 5) Lord, help us to see beyond our preconceived ideas so that we may act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

11 IV PETER DENIES THAT HE KNOWS JESUS

12 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. You also were with Jesus of Galilee, she said. But he denied it before them all. I don t know what you re talking about, he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth. He denied it again, with an oath: I don t know the man! After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away. Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, I don t know the man! Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:69-75) All: My closest friends have forgotten me. All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me. (Job 19: 14, 19) Lord, help us to be loyal to you, and to what you have taught us even when we are worried about our own security. Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

13 V JESUS IS CONDEMNED BY PILATE

14 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. Are you the king of the Jews? asked Pilate. You have said so, Jesus replied. The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, Aren t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of. But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed (Mark 15: 1-5, 15) All: He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53: 7) Lord, give us the gift of discernment so that we can see as you see, not as worldly power sees. Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

15 VI JEUS IS FLOGGED AND CROWNED WITH THORNS

16 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. Pilate had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, Hail, king of the Jews! Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. (Mark 14: 15b - 19) All: My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. (Psalm 38: 7-8) Lord, when we feel alone in our suffering remind us that you understand. Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

17 VII JESUS BEARS THE CROSS

18 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. (John 19: 6, 15-17) All: I looked for sympathy, but there was none; for comforters, but I could find none. (Psalm 69:20) My mind is distraught, my days are numbered, and the grave is waiting for me. Wherever I turn, men taunt me, and my day is darkened by their sneers. (Job 17: 1-2) Lord, increase our compassion for people who are alone and vilified. Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

19 VIII JESUS IS HELPED BY SIMON OF CYRENE

20 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26) When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne Then the King will say Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25: 31-40) All: Lord, help us to notice the burdens that others carry in life and be quick to offer them generous assistance. Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

21 IX JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

22 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed! Then they will say to the mountains, Fall on us! and to the hills, Cover us! For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry? (Luke 23:27-31) All: I hear many whispering, Terror on every side! But I trust in you, Lord; I say, You are my God. (Psalm 31: 13, 14) Lord, help us to value justice more than we value our own comfort and security. Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us. -

23 X JESUS IS CRUCIFIED

24 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. They came to a place called Golgotha, which means the place of the skull. There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: This is Jesus, King of the Jews Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God! In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. He saved others, they said, but he can t save himself! He s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. (Matthew 27: 33-36, 39-42) All: Packs of dogs close me in, and gangs and evildoers circle around me; they pierce my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing. (Psalm 22: 16-18) Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

25 XI JESUS PROMISES HIS KINGDOM TO THE GOOD THIEF

26 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: Aren t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us! But the other criminal rebuked him. Don t you fear God, he said, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong. Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23: 39-43) All: The promises of the LORD are pure, like silver refined in a furnace and purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6) Lord, we trust your promises. Your promises are our hope. (Psalm 20: 7) Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

27 XII JESUS SPEAKS TO HIS MOTHER AND THE DISCIPLE

28 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, Woman, here is your son, and to the disciple, Here is your mother. From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (John 19: 25-27) All: I bowed my head in grief, as though weeping for my mother. (Psalm 35:14b) Lord, help us to care about the needs of others even when we are suffering ourselves. Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

29 XIII JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

30 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Eli, Eli lema sabachthani? (which means My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? ). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, He s calling Elijah. Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, Now leave him alone. Let s see if Elijah comes to save him. And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. (Matthew 27: 45-50) All: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. (Psalm 22: 1-2) Lord, in your own good time bring us all home to you. Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

31 XIV JESUS IS PLACED IN THE TOMB

32 We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. You are the way, the truth, and the life. It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid. (Mark 15: 42-47) All: O my enemies, do not exult over me; I have fallen, but shall rise again; though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is my light. (Micah 7:8) Lord, strengthen our faith. Help us to trust that when our time on this earth is ended, we will see you face to face. Holy God. Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

33 CLOSING DEVOTIONS The following prayers conclude the service. I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39) Savior of the world, increase our faith. Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. (Ephesians 3:20-21) Amen.

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