STATIONS OF THE CROSS - LENT 2018 LEADER S NOTES

Transcription

1 STATIONS OF THE CROSS - LENT 2018 LEADER S NOTES This Stations of the Cross takes us on a prayerful journey of transformation in solidarity with people living in poverty around the world. As we walk through the Stations, we also share their journey through a mixture of their stories, Scripture and prayer. This Stations of the Cross is flexible and can be used in a variety of ways, such as: To lead a Stations in your parish, for example on Fridays during Lent. As part of a prayer session or small group meeting. As part of RCIA preparation for Easter. Combined with a hunger lunch for a parish group. As part of J&P group meeting. As part of a parish CAFOD group meeting. Options In a church, as you follow the traditional Stations on the wall. o You may wish to print out the pictures from the accompanying PowerPoint to stick on the wall next to the traditional image. In a church, seated. o If you have a very large group, or people with mobility issues, it may be best for the readers to walk around the church s Stations while the rest of the group remains seated in the middle. o If there is a suitable wall, project the accompanying PowerPoint at the front of the church so people can reflect on the images. In a room. o Set out the chairs in a circle and create a focal point in the middle with a candle, a cross, white and purple cloths. o You could light a tea light as you start each station so that the room gets lighter as you move towards the resurrection. o Project the PowerPoint onto a wall so that people can reflect on the images, or o Print out the photos in the PowerPoint and stick them around the room. What you will need At least two Stations of the Cross printouts, for the leader and the other reader. A reader, although if you have a very large group you could have a different reader for each Station for variety of voices. Different participants could read each closing prayer in turn. Optional extras A screen to show the PowerPoint. Props such as a candle, tea lights, cloths, a cross. Things to bear in mind The leader reads the title of each Station as well as the text designated leader within the Station. You may wish to have two leaders one reading the odd-numbered Stations and one reading the even-numbered. Run through the responses with the group before starting, especially if they do not all have a printout, so that they know what is happening. Make sure there is a pause between the readings so that people have time to reflect on what they have heard. Be clear about the structure and who is reading what. 1

2 STATIONS OF THE CROSS Opening reflection Leader: As we reflect on the final journey of Jesus, leading to his death on the Cross, we also contemplate the lives of our sisters and brothers around the world living in extreme poverty. People like Svondo from Zimbabwe, featured on the CAFOD parish poster for Lent With help from a CAFOD local partner, Svondo s mother Marian takes part in the local community garden and has been given seeds, tools and advice. Vegetables and fruit from the garden are helping Svondo to grow up strong and healthy. Let us pray together for God to transform our lives and the lives of others: Everlasting God, we give you thanks for you nourish and strengthen us with your merciful love. Give us this day our daily bread. We pray for those who hunger in scorched lands, with no food for their children. Together, we cry out for justice. Give us this day our daily bread. Help us to share generously as one global family, and to hold onto hope for a world transformed. Bread of life, we pray your people may find life and joy in all its fullness. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. First Station Jesus is condemned to death Reader: The governor again said to them, Which of the two do you want me to release for you? And they said, Barabbas. Pilate said to them, Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah? All of them said, Let him be crucified! Pilate released Barabbas for the crowd; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Matthew 27:21-26 Leader: Jesus has done nothing wrong. He has spent his whole life doing only good. And yet, he is condemned to death. The crowd have turned against him and are willing to release the criminal Barabbas instead of him. Can you think of a time when you have felt like the whole world was against you? When no matter what you did, it was not good enough for others? 2

3 Jesus, you know what it means to stand alone in front of those who reject you and don t understand you. When we feel that we can t make a difference, help us to keep going. Teach us to share your love. Second Station Jesus carries his cross Reader: After mocking Jesus, the soldiers stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him Matthew 27:28-31 Leader: The guards dressed Jesus up as a king, with a crown made of thorns, and mocked him. They gave him a heavy wooden cross to carry. Jesus knows that the way will not be easy and that it will lead to his death. And yet he shoulders his burden and starts on his way. The burden of hunger is one that too many people have to bear. When he was small, Marian used to leave her older son Tawanda in the morning while she went to find work. She would return hours later to find him still sitting in the same place. I didn t have enough food to give him, she said. He hadn t played, or even walked. It was very painful to see him like that. We all have burdens to carry. We also place burdens on other people. In what ways do I place unnecessary burdens on other people? Jesus, you picked up your cross, even though you did not deserve it. When we feel afraid, help us to be brave. Give us the courage to speak out to change our world, so that all our sisters and brothers can experience justice. Third Station Jesus falls the first time Reader: He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 Leader: Whilst carrying his cross, Jesus falls down. The weight of the cross, the pressures, the burdens of the world, are all piled on his shoulders. We heard how Marian was not able to give her son Tawanda enough food when he was small. He didn t even have the energy to move from the spot where she had left him. Tawanda was prevented from reaching his God-given potential. How can children learn, play and grow when they do not have enough to eat? 3

4 The choices we make have an impact on other people both near and far. In what way do my choices cause others to stumble? Jesus, you know how it feels to struggle and to fall. Show us how to walk with others to know what it feels like to be in another s shoes. You reach out to us with caring hands. Show us how to join our hands with communities around the world who are bringing hope to their people. Fourth Station Jesus meets his mother Reader: Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed and a sword will pierce your own soul too. Luke 2:33-35 Leader: Whilst Jesus is walking to his death, his mother comes up to him in the crowd. When Jesus was still a baby and presented to God in the Temple, Simeon prophesied to Mary that a sword will pierce your own soul too. What sadness must have filled Mary s heart when she saw her son, knowing he was going to die. For all mothers who struggle to support their children. For all mothers who watch their children go hungry. For all mothers who see their children suffering and feel powerless to help. For all mothers, we pause and pray. [pause for silent reflection] Jesus, you looked through the crowd and saw your mother s eyes. Her love gave you the strength to carry on. When we don t want to listen, open our ears to hear. When it would be easier to look away, open our eyes to see. Fifth Station Simon of Cyrene carries the cross of Jesus Reader: The soldiers compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Mark 15:21 Leader: Simon is compelled to help Jesus. Despite not knowing who Jesus is, he is taken from the crowd to walk with him and carry his cross. Helping others brings us together and is an act of solidarity. With the gift of seeds, Marian now grows vegetables in her community garden. Her younger son Svondo has been brought 4

5 up on fresh vegetables, beans and peanut butter. He is growing healthy and strong. He plays with his friends. His childhood has been so different from his older brother s. The difference is the support that Marian received, and her determination to make things better for her children. When a moment arises for us to help others, do we support them without complaint? Do we look for opportunities to help others, or do we try to keep out of the way, telling ourselves that it is not our responsibility? Jesus, you know what it means to depend on someone and to need their help. When my friends need help, teach me to work with them to lighten their burden. Show me how to listen carefully so that I can offer what they need. We are your global family of many different colours, cultures and religions. Make us one family united in you. Sixth Station Veronica wipes the face of Jesus Reader: And the king will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of our family, you did it to me. Matthew 25:37-40 All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Leader: Veronica was able to reach out and touch Christ s face. The gentle, generous, humble action of wiping Jesus s face, a face covered in blood and sweat, was one of love and humanity. It recognised the dignity of Jesus, not just seeing him as a spectacle walking by. Do we look for Christ in our brothers and sisters? Do we anoint them through our respect for their human dignity? Jesus, you know how it feels to be hurt and to cry out in pain and fear. Show us how to walk together with others. Show us how to love the people around us And to be there for those who need us. Seventh Station Jesus falls the second time Reader: You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one; he offers you no resistance. James 5:5-6 Leader: Continuing his journey towards the place where he will die, Jesus becomes increasingly weak. He falls again. The journey must seem never ending. And each step is made more difficult with the weight of the cross and the pain. Jesus is becoming weaker. 5

6 Hunger impacts on every aspect of life: health, work, education. For those of us who have plenty it can be hard to imagine the physical and mental struggle of continued hunger. How can we walk alongside those who are hungry today? Jesus, you stumbled and fell. You lost strength and became tired. And yet you carried on. When we find it hard to keep going, give us the strength we need to finish our work as well as we can and show love to others. Eighth Station Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem Reader: A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him Luke 23:27-28 Leader: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem and tells them not to weep for him, but for themselves and their children. Marian speaks of her fear at seeing her children go hungry: My heart would feel pain. My children were tired and unhappy. I was so worried about finding the next meal. In the world there is so much to weep over. Sometimes we feel there is little we can do but cry. But following our tears, we commit ourselves to action to support all our sisters and brothers to flourish. We must always have hope. Jesus, you cared and spoke out, even on the road to your death. You knew and felt the suffering of others. As we hear the stories of our sisters and brothers who live in poverty, give us the courage to raise our voices, so that together we can work for change. Ninth Station Jesus falls the third time Reader: Come to me all you who labour, 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 light. Matthew 11:28-30 Leader: As the journey to his crucifixion comes to an end, Jesus falls one more time. Jesus, who died for our sake, falls under the burden. For people living in poverty, there is so much to cause them to fall. Faced with many challenges do we give up, or do we look to God for strength and hope? 6

7 We pray for ourselves, and for all those who need strength and courage, that in the face of so many struggles, the love of Christ will urge us on. Jesus, you felt the darkness around you, the crowds surrounded you. You fell once more. When we lose hope, when everything is just too difficult, show us how to reach out to each other and hold hands, so that none of us have to do everything on our own. Help us to know that you walk alongside us even when we feel most alone. Tenth Station Jesus is stripped of his garments Reader: The soldiers took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic John 19:23-24 Leader: Arriving at his place of execution, even the clothes he is wearing are stripped from him. He is left with nothing. In Populorum Progressio, Blessed Pope Paul VI starkly challenges us that, No one may appropriate surplus goods solely for his own private use when others lack the bare necessities of life. Hearing those words, how am I challenged? Do I have surplus goods which I am hoarding? What am I challenged to do for those who lack the bare necessities of life? Jesus, you sacrificed everything and endured mockery for our sake. When we value possessions more than people, or look down on someone who has less, Show us your face in theirs. Eleventh Station Jesus is nailed to the cross Reader: When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Luke 23:33-34 Leader: Jesus is nailed to the wood of the cross. In agony, his body is lifted high, in this most violent of acts. Hunger is painful, both physically and emotionally. We remind ourselves that we are all made in the image of God, that as part of God s family, we are all connected. When one person goes hungry, we all go hungry. Their pain is our pain. This is a challenge. When do we cause pain to others? When do we hold them back? When do we fail to love our neighbour as we should? 7

8 Jesus, you cry out in pain. Challenge us - when we hold people back, when we look down on them, when we don t treat them with respect. Help us to remember that everyone is equal, that we are all made in the image of God. Twelfth Station Jesus dies on the cross Reader: At three o clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which means, My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. Mark 15: 34, 37 Leader: In agony, Jesus breathes his last and dies on the cross. We pause. We remember all those who have died due to lack of food or water; those who have been unable to support themselves and their families. We remember all those who have died through violence and conflict. We remember those we have loved who have gone before us, and all those whose names we do not even know. [pause for silent reflection] Leader: Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, All: and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. Jesus, you know what it s like to feel alone, lost and afraid, betrayed and abandoned. And show us how to walk with others, who live in fear and face death through hunger, thirst, violence and war. Show us how to pray for sisters and brothers that we have never met, but who are always loved by you. Thirteenth Station Jesus body is taken down from the cross Reader: Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed the body. John 19:38 Leader: Lifeless, Jesus is taken down from the cross. Joseph of Arimathea asks for Jesus s body, to bury him with dignity. In the midst of the chaos, sadness and anxiety we are called into action, to do what we can. 8

9 The state of the world can sometimes feel so bad that there is nothing we can do. Pope Francis encourages us not to lose hope: Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start, despite their mental and social conditioning I appeal to everyone throughout the world not to forget this dignity which is ours. No one has the right to take it from us. (Laudato Si #205) We pray that at times of despair we will not lose hope. That we will remain open to the reality of the world. That we will recommit ourselves to taking positive action. Jesus, you know what it means to have friends who risked their own lives to take your body from the cross. Show us how to be friends to those close to us and to those far away. Teach us to see you in everybody, to be kind, loving and strong. To be like you. Fourteenth Station Jesus body is laid in the tomb Reader: Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where the body was laid. Mark 15: Leader: Jesus is laid in the tomb. The world is silent. A time of waiting. As we pause we rest. Amidst the busy-ness of life, we also need to take time to rest. And in this resting to listen to God. How often do we feel so busy that we do not have time to rest, and time to listen to God in prayer? Even our work for justice can feel so urgent that we do not take time to pray. For the times we have failed to pause, to rest, to make time to hear God s voice, we ask forgiveness. Jesus, in the darkness of the tomb those who loved you felt sad and alone. They did not know what to do. Guide us in difficult times, so that we can share you with our sisters and brothers when they feel sad and alone. 9

10 Fifteenth Station Jesus is raised from the dead Reader: Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Luke 24:5 Leader: He is not here: he is risen! Jesus s death on the cross was not the end. Through Christ s passion, his death and resurrection, we have the strength to continue our daily journey. We are inspired to continue to work for true justice, so that all people may flourish. As we reflect on Jesus s final journey, we pray for the strength to live each day as people transformed through God s love, and that we will radiate God s love to all of creation. Jesus, you share your life, your light and your peace with us all. Show us how to live out your love so that our sisters and brothers, here and around the world, may know the joy of new life And we may all be changed by living in your light. 10