This booklet was first produced by the Catholic Enquiry Centre in 1982.

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2 This booklet was first produced by the Catholic Enquiry Centre in This is a pdf version of No Greater Love Stations of the Cross. It may be freely downloaded from the Catholic Enquiry Centre website and printed for parish use. A Powerpoint version was also produced by the Catholic Enquiry Centre in 2014, which may also be freely downloaded from the Catholic Enquiry Centre website for parish use. Text: Rev J FitzPatrick OMI Art: Sr Phyllis Nicoll, OSB Copyright: Catholic Enquiry Centre Imprimi Potest: V Rev Fr A Cooper, OMI Nihil Obstat: Rev K J Sargent, DD PP Imprimatur: Patrick L Murphy, DD Sydney Catholic Enquiry Centre: FAITH ( ) PO BOX 415 Crows Nest NSW 1585 info@catholicenquiry.com

3 no greater love Suggestions for Use 1. These stations can be used for personal reflection and prayer. 2. As a family devotion at home, various members of the family can read the different sections scripture, meditation, thanksgiving and prayer especially during the Lenten season. 3. For congregation use 1. The Opening and Closing prayers read by the priest from the sanctuary 2. The scripture and reflection and the prayer read by the priest at each Station 3. The meditation scripture and questions by a reader (or a family representative), with suitable pauses after the Scripture and each question. 4. The thanksgiving intercession announced by various voices 5. Suitable hymns sung by the congregation at the beginning and end, or between Stations. 4. On various occasions, just a selection of the prayers for each Station could be used e.g. just the Scripture and Reflection and the Thanksgiving or the Meditation and Thanksgiving, or other combinations. 5. Instead of working through every one of the 14 Stations at each session, it is recommended that more time be given to meditate on each of these events. Such a method has great appeal, and is often more conducive to appreciating the Passion of Christ. By using the full text of each of the Stations, with appropriate pauses, two of the Stations would take minutes. Taking the Season of Lent the following schema is suggested. Fridays of Lent Theme Stations 1st Preparation 1 and 2 2nd Trials 3 and 4 3rd Sufferings and Cross 5 and 6 4th Journey to Calvary 7 and 8 5th On the Cross 9.10 and 11 6th Final Mysteries 12,13 and A selection of the Stations, as well as the Opening and Closing prayer could be used in conjunction with the Second Rite of Reconciliation.

4 s t a t i o n s The Last Supper The Garden of Gethsemane Jesus before the Sanhedrin Jesus before Pilate Jesus is whipped and crowned with thorns Jesus carries his Cross Jesus is helped by the Cyrenean Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem Jesus is stripped and nailed to the Cross Jesus and the good thief Jesus speaks to Mary and John Jesus dies on the Cross Jesus is buried Jesus rises from the Dead

5 introduction Invitation As we come together to meditate upon these sacred events in the life of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, let us listen to His words. Opening Prayer Father, the hour has come: glorify your Son so that your Son may glorify you; and through the power over all mankind that you have given him, let him give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him. And eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I have glorified you on earth and finished the work that you gave me to do. Now, father, it is time for you to glorify me with that glory I had with you before the world was. (John 17:1-5)

6 station 1 the last supper

7 station 1 the last supper Scripture Now as they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to his disciples. take it and eat; he said this is my body. Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks he gave it to them. Drink all of you from this, he said for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26-28) Reflection As the time of His sacrifice drew near, Jesus called together His close friends for a last meal together. But this was to be more than just a meal. The length of that supper was to see the humble service of Christ as He washed the feet of His Apostles. It was to see the movement of the betrayal of Judas. It was to see the warning of the denial of Peter. It was to see the prayer to His Father that all should be united so that the world would believe His message. It was to see the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. It was to see the changing of the bread and wine into His Body and Blood the Body which was to be broken and the Blood which was to be shed for the salvation of all humanity. Despite the shadow of death, this gathering was a celebration of life the offering of a life, the renewing of a life, and the promise of life everlasting.

8 station 1 the last supper Meditation I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world (John 6:51) Do we appreciate Christ s wondrous giving of Himself? Do we eat of the bread worthily, recognising the price of His suffering and the depth of love it expresses? Do our lives show the life of Christ to others? Thanksgiving For your humility in washing the apostles feet For the gift of Your Body and Blood in the Eucharist. For Your calling us to share in Your Supper. Let us pray: At this Last Supper, Lord, You made the final gift of Your Body and Blood, and handed on to us the containing source of strength for our journey through life. May we be ever conscious of Your love and care, and arrive at that salvation won for us by Your sacrifice. We ask this with confidence, for You are Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

9 station 2 garden of gethsemane

10 station 2 garden of gethsemane Scripture Then Jesus came with them to a small estate called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, Stay here while I go over there to pray. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. And sadness came over him, and great distress. Then he said to them, My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here and keep awake with me. And going on a little further, he fell on his face and prayed. My Father, he said, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I would have it. (Matt. 26:36-39) Reflection After His last Supper, Jesus went out to pray, to prepare Himself for the ordeal that lay ahead betrayal, insult, suffering, death. His years of teaching, of healing, of reaching out in love, were to be concluded in the savagery of a violent death. This was to be the rite of passage to the complete fulfilment of His Father s Will, and the gaining for us of a glorious salvation. He was to give His human life for our eternal life. Even in this most giving hour His followers slept, and He was left alone to face the torment of anticipation. Let this cup pass me by His humanness cried out: let it be as you, not I, would have it His obedience answered. His Body revolted from what the next days would bring, but His Spirit strengthened His resolve and He accepted for our sake.

11 station 2 garden of gethsemane Meditation Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say: Father, save me from this hour? But it was for this very reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name. (John 12:27-28) What price do we put on fidelity to God s Will for us? Do we pray that we may have the strength always to put Him first? How much are we prepared to give to match His love for us? Thanksgiving For Your prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane For Your willingness to accept this suffering for us. For Your steadfastness in doing Your Father s Will Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, as You faced the days of suffering and sorrow in Your Passion and Death, You gave to us the perfect example of constancy in doing Your Father s Will. May we always follow your lead with the same faithfulness amidst the troubles of our daily living. We ask this in the name of God the Father with whom You live and reign for ever and ever. Amen

12 station 3 before the sanhedrin

13 station 3 before the sanhedrin Scripture The high priest then stood up before the whole assembly and put this question to Jesus, Have you no answer to that? What is this evidence these men are bringing against you? But he was silent and made no answer at all. The high priest put a second question to him, Are you the Christ, he said the Son of the Blessed One? I am said Jesus and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven. The high priest tore his robes, What need of witnesses have we now? he said. You heard the blasphemy. What is your finding? And they all gave their verdict; he deserved to die (Mark 14:60-64) Reflection Before the Council of the people to whom He came to offer the gift of salvation Jesus stood. Accusation upon accusation was heaped on Him, and yet He remained silent. Deep in that silence rested the reason for His coming and for His Life He as the Messiah, the long awaited one, the Christ. By word, by deed He had shown this the many had believed, but many more had refused. At the end of their taunting, He spoke, and spoke with authority: I am the Christ. His statement of truth was to lead to their final rejection of Him from then on He was marked for death. For the Sanhedrin this death was to be the resolution of His teaching: but for those who believed in Him it was to be the summation, for in death He showed the proof of Who He was the Son of God, Saviour, Messiah, Redeemer.

14 station 3 before the sanhedrin Meditation When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples. Who do people say the Son of Man is? And they said, Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. But you, he said Who do you say I am? Then Simon Peter spoke up, You are the Christ, he said the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:13-16) Have we ever, by our silence, failed to express our Faith in Christ? Do we always honour the name of Jesus Christ? Have we ever doubted that Christ is our Saviour? Thanksgiving For Your endurance before your false accusers. For Your courage in proclaiming the truth. For Your suffering as Christ, our redeemer. Let us pray: Lord our Saviour, Your mission in this world was to bear witness to Your Father and to pass on His message of salvation. May we always abide by the truth of the belief within us and speak it openly to bear testimony of You. This we ask, for You are Lord for ever and ever. Amen

15 station 4 jesus before pilate

16 station 4 jesus before pilate Scripture So Pilate went back into the Praetorium and called Jesus to him, Are you the king of the Jews? he asked. Jesus replied, Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others spoken to you about me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done? Jesus replied, Mine is not a Kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent by being surrendered to the Jews. But my Kingdom is not of this kind. So you are a king then? said Pilate. It is you who say it answered Jesus. Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth: and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice. (John 18:33-37) Reflection Condemned already by the Sanhedrin, Jesus was brought before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, for only Pilate had the power to grant the death penalty. Pilate listened to their accusations and their urgings. He also questioned Jesus Himself. The thrust went backwards and forwards. Each passing moment showed that Jesus was innocent, and Pilate saw the truth of the case. What was he to do serve the truth, or maintain peace with the crowd? He tried to avoid the issue he sent Jesus to Herod, he attempted to dismiss the case, he offered to scourge Him to satisfy them. But all to no avail. A decision had to be made, and only he could make it - justice for Jesus or popularity for Pilate? Pilate chose for himself.

17 station 4 jesus before pilate Meditation Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back. (Luke 6:36-38) Have we condemned anyone without seeking all the facts? Do we let our prejudices override the truth? Are we ourselves just in all our dealings with others? Thanksgiving For Your patience before the judgement of Pilate.. For the defence of Your Kingship.. For your suffering before injustice.. Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, for our sake You underwent the indignity and mockery of Your trial before Pilate as the powers of this world sought to destroy You. May we always stand up for the Truth in which we believe, despite any passing hardships that are demanded of us. We ask for this courage in Your name. Amen

18 station 5 whipped and crowned

19 station 5 whipped and crowned Scripture Pilate then had Jesus taken away and scourged; and after this, the soldiers twisted some thorns into a crown and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him and saying Hail, king of the Jews! and they slapped him in the face. (John 19:1-3) Reflection Though falsely accused and His innocence realized, Christ was nevertheless handed over to the soldiers to be scourged. To these men He was just another prisoner, and without regard to the justice of His case they bent to their task. Stripping Him naked they applied the flagellum a whip with two leather strands tipped with rounded metal ends. From shoulders to ankles, both front and back, they scourged Him till blood spilled out of the bruises. He who came to heal the world was bearing now this wounding, and He bore it for the redemption of that self same world. They fashioned a cap of branches from a thorn bush, forced it over His head, placed a reed in His hands and had their sport mocking Him as King of the Jews.

20 station 5 whipped and crowned Meditation I tell you most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:24-25) Do we speak up against the injustice that others suffer? Do we have a real compassion for those who suffer? Do we put our own comfort and ease before what we know is right? Thanksgiving For Your blood shed for us at the scourging. For Your humility under the insults of the soldiers. For bearing the crown of thorns for our sake. Let us pray: In Your suffering by the whipping and crowning with thorns, Lord Jesus, You offered this pain to Your heavenly Father to make up for the many sins of men and women. May we turn to You in sorrow when we offend, and seek that forgiving grace won by You on our behalf. We ask this, for You are the true King for ever and ever. Amen.

21 station 6 carries his cross

22 station 6 carries his cross Scripture They then took charge of Jesus and carrying his own cross he went out of the city to the place of the skull, or as it was called in Hebrew, Golgotha... (John 19: 17) Reflection And so the Holy One of Israel, set out on His last journey through the streets of Jerusalem, the city of peace, the city over which He had wept. Gone were the shouts of welcome, the palm branches, the cloaks spread on the ground in His path. These were replaced by the shouts of Crucify him, the heavy wood of the Cross, the hard stones of the streets. In the midst of all this fickleness He alone was a man of constancy determined even to the point of giving His own life for the sake of the creation He loved. Bowed down as He was by the weight of the Cross on His shoulders, He carried yet a greater burden the burden of the sins of the world. He was to carry these on behalf of us, and by His sinlessness gain for us the means of redemption.

23 station 6 carries his cross Meditation Then Jesus said to his disciples: if anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25) Do we bear our sorrows with the constancy of Christ? Do we repent of the weight of our sins in His Cross? Are we a cross for others to bear? Thanksgiving For bearing the burden of our sins. For carrying the cross on our behalf. For raising the weight of our offences. Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ on Your shoulders and in Your heart You carried the grossness of our infidelity. May we be ever thankful to You for this journey to the place of Your death, a journey which was to give us true life. We ask this, for You reign for ever and ever. Amen.

24 station 7 helped by the cyrenean

25 station 7 helped by the cyrenean Scripture They led him out to crucify him. They enlisted a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, father of Alexander and Rufus, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross. (Mark 15:21) Reflection Simon of Cyrene was coming up to Jerusalem to celebrate the great feast and met along his way this man being led out to crucifixion. He didn t know Him, he wasn t particularly interested in Him. Yet all of a sudden, Simon is involved in the drama, and becomes part of history for all time. Christ weakened by His scourgings is sagging under the weight of the Cross and Simon is forced to lend his aid the first helping hand in this journey of suffering. It is an added shame for Christ that this help came not from one of His followers but from a stranger. Yet even this help was not able to halt that terrible journey. Christ was to move on even to the moment of death for the sake of our eternal future.

26 station 7 helped by the cyrenean Meditation Let us not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which was still in the future, he endured the cross, disregarding the shamefulness of it, and from now on has taken his place at the right of God s throne. (Hebrews 12:2) Do we stand by silently, and do little for the cause of Christ? Do we raise our hands to lift the cross of other s troubles? Do we grumble at the lightness of our crosses compared to Christ s Cross? Thanksgiving For the help of Simon the reluctant stranger. For allowing us to share the burden of Your Cross. For giving us the strength to lighten others loads. Let us pray: O Lord, you called Simon of Cyrene to the moment of his greatest glory in allowing him to share the weight of Your cross on the way to Calvary. Grant us the privilege of sharing in Your suffering by giving to us the strength to raise up those overburdened by the cares of this life. This we pray, through Your help. Amen

27 station 8 the women of jerusalem

28 station 8 women of jerusalem Scripture Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said: Daughters of Jerusalem do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. (Luke 23:27-28) Reflection Only once on that journey to the place of crucifixion did Jesus speak and, this was not to complain or to seek consolation for Himself. It was to offer comfort and advice to a group of women who sorrowed for His suffering. Those who had clamoured for His death flew in the face of God by calling down His blood on themselves and their children. Now Christ asked these women of Jerusalem not to grieve over His suffering, but to grieve over the consequences of this frightful deed. He directed their sorrow to a repentance for those who had rejected what He had offered, turned aside from what He had taught, and closed their ears to His message. Even in these moments of pain, Jesus was filled with concern for those He came to save.

29 station 8 women of jerusalem Meditation Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! (Luke 13:34) How often have we refused to listen to the call of Christ? Do we seek forgiveness for our stubbornness? Do we draw strength from our own sorrow to offer comfort to others? Thanksgiving For Your compassion for others in Your hour of pain. For Your calling us to come to You. For Your concern for us despite our failings. Let us pray: Lord, Jesus Christ, we thank You for Your constant love for us and Your ever-present thought for our good. May we respond to this by loving You more deeply and by reaching out to those whom we meet each day who are in sorrow. We ask this, counting on your love. Amen

30 station 9 nailed to the cross

31 station 9 nailed to the cross Scripture When they reached the place called the Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said, Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing. Then they cast lots to share out his clothing. (Luke 23:33-34) Reflection Christ had walked his last journey. Arriving at the hill of execution, the soldiers stripped him naked and went straight to their task of crucifying Him. Nailed to the Cross, He was raised up to endure the hours of dying. Those who brought this about were pleased that at last He was immobilised, pinned by nails to this wooden death-bed. They had hopes that by killing the Messenger they would also kill the Message. And yet, whilst the life of this agonizing figure was growing still on the Cross, His message was becoming all the more active and living. He was dying to prove His message. He was dying to complete His mission. He was dying to a new life one which could not be put to death by nailing to a Cross.

32 station 9 nailed to the cross Meditation... Jesus came in and stood among them. Peace be with you he said. Then He spoke to Thomas; Put your finger here; look, these are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe. Thomas replied, My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him: You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe. (John 20:26-29) Are we guilty in our lives of blocking the message of Christ? Do we place obstacles in the way of Christ s love for others? Have we ever not cared for those suffering pain or guilt? Thanksgiving For suffering the pain of crucifixion for our sake. For Your hours of agony on the Cross for our redemption. For the healing power of Your Message. Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, those feet which walked to the aid of many and those hands which brought blessing and healing were nailed to the cross in the offering of Your life. May we always direct ourselves in ministering to others according to Your example, for You are Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

33 station 10 the good thief

34 station 10 the good thief Scripture One of the criminals hanging there abused him. Are you not the Christ? he said. Save yourself and us as well. But the other spoke up and rebuked him Have you no fear of God at all? he said. You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case, we deserved it; we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, he said remember me when you come into your kingdom. Indeed, I promise you, he replied today you will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:39-43) Reflection As it was the stranger, Simon, who helped lift His cross, so now it was an unknown condemned criminal who showed any faith in Christ as He lay dying on the Cross. His followers had fled even His friends stood at a distance. In all the jeering of the crowd at the execution only the thief spoke in Christ s defence, declared His innocence and recognised Christ s kingship. This act of faith in Christ was to wipe away all guilt and earn the certain promise of a place in His Kingdom. As it was then, so it is now faith in Christ, deep and personal, will bring the certainty of an eternity with Him. Even in His dying moments Christ gave life, an everlasting life, beyond the time and turmoil of this world. He still continues to offer it.

35 station 10 the good thief Meditation What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours? Rejoice with me he would say I have found my sheep that was lost. In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance. (Luke 15:4-7) Are we prepared to see the innocence of others? Are we courageous enough to admit our own guilt? Do we turn to God in sorrow to ask forgiveness? Thanksgiving For Your forgiveness of the repentant thief. For offering us pardon in our sinfulness For calling us all to Your eternal Kingdom Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, You came to call us all to conversion that we would repent and live with a new life. Grant that we may heed Your call, turn away from sin and enjoy that life which You won for us by Your suffering on the Cross. We ask for this life through Your merits, for You live forever and ever. Amen.

36 station 11 mary and john

37 station 11 mary and john Scripture Near the cross of Jesus, stood his mother and his mother s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, Woman, this is your son. Then to the disciple he said, This is your mother. And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home. (John 19:25-27) Reflection Accepting the call to be His Mother, Mary conceived Christ by divine power, gave birth to Him in poverty, rejoiced as the shepherds and Wise Men adored Him, pondered over Him as He preached, and now stood by Him as He died on the Cross. Through it all she must have striven to understand her Child, to join herself to Him in all that He did. She loved as all mothers love, she cared as all mothers care, she grieved as all mothers grieve. In these final moments Christ s thoughts turned to His mother and He confided her to the care of His disciple, John. At the same time He called Mary to be as a mother to the disciple. Each of us was in John as he was to honour Mary as his mother, so we are called to honour her; as she was to be John s mother, so is she our mother. Joined to her, we are joined to Christ in a special way. We are His brothers and sisters as we share the protection and love of His mother, Mary.

38 station 9 nailed to the cross Meditation As the child s father and mother stood there wondering at these things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, You see this child: he is destined for the fall and the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected and a sword will pierce your own soul too so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare. (Luke 2:33-35) Do parents show for their children the selfless love of Mary? Do children honour and love their parents? Do we honour Mary as our Mother? Thanksgiving For Your thoughts of us in Your dying moments. For the example of Your devotion to Your mother. For giving us Your Mother to be our Mother too. Let us pray: Jesus, Son of Mary, out of love for us You gave Mary, Your Mother, to watch over us during our lifetime and to be a model of devotion and fidelity to You. May we always imitate her, love her as You did and rejoice in her presence in Your Kingdom where you reign forever and ever. Amen

39 station 12 dies on the cross

40 station 12 dies on the cross Scripture It was now about the sixth hour, and with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the temple was torn right down the middle; and when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. With these words he breathed his last. (Luke 23:44-46) Reflection All was now given His message, His healing, His pain, His forgiveness, His life. He emptied Himself to the last. His suffering gave way to quiet; His life gave way to death. The earth fell into darkness. The life of the world, the light of the world, stopped at that moment. His was no ordinary dying. The course of the world s history had moved to this point: a new world was about to be born- a world redeemed by His death. Never before had such a supreme sacrifice been made: never again could creation be the same.

41 station 12 dies on the cross Meditation We were still helpless when at his appointed moment Christ died for sinful men. It is not easy to die even for a good man though of course for someone really worthy, a man might be prepared to die- but what proved that God loves us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Having died to make us righteous, is it likely that he would now fail to save us from God s anger? When we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son we were still enemies; now that we have been reconciled, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son? Not merely because we have been reconciled, but because we are filled with joyful trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation. (Romans 5: 6-11) Is the sacrifice of the life of Christ a part of our lives? Are we willing to die to our desires, that Christ might live in us? What sacrifices are we prepared to make for the sake of others? Thanksgiving For the agony of Your dying. For the final sacrifice of Your life. For new life given to us by Your death. Let us pray: Christ, our Saviour, as You gave Your life for our redemption on the Cross, You were lifted up to draw all people to the source of life. May we be ever conscious of Your love for us, and draw closer to You, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Amen

42 station 13 jesus is buried

43 station 13 jesus is buried Scripture After this, Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a disciple of Jesus though a secret one because he was afraid of the Jews asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission, so they came and took it away. Nicodemus came as well the same one who had first come to Jesus at night-time and he brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, following the Jewish burial custom. At the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in this garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been buried. Since it was the Jewish day of preparation and the tomb was near at hand, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:38-42) Reflection All seemed to be over now. He was dead. They had cut the body with a lance to make sure. Even the blood and water had ceased to flow. The crowds went home. With Pilate s permission He was taken down off the Cross, wrapped loosely in cloths and buried in a nearby borrowed tomb. All seemed to be in a state of suspension. Those who had planned His death were on edge. They insisted that there be a guard over the tomb. His disciples were in disarray. They hid themselves wondering what to do next. The Master Himself was dead, sealed off in the darkness of a tomb. Was this the end?

44 station 13 jesus is buried Meditation The Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it away from me; I lay it down, so it is in my power to take to up again... (John 10:17-18) Does our way of living reflect our gratitude for Christ dying for us? Do we console those made sorrowful by death? Are we prepared to face our own death? Thanksgiving For the courage and care of Joseph of Arimathaea. For the devotion of the women who mourned at Your tomb. For the humility of Your death and burial. Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, after the agony of Your death, the stillness of the tomb was the prelude to Your final victory. May we live always in Your friendship so that we may face our own death, conscious of Your redeeming power. We ask this in Your name. Amen.

45 station 14 rises from the dead

46 station 14 rises from the dead Scripture It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. They have taken the Lord out of the tomb she said and we don t know where they have put him. So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the line cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they have failed to understand the teachings of scripture, that he must rise from the dead. (John 20:1-9) Reflection No morning was ever, or could be ever, like that one again. Despite the treachery, despite the betrayal, despite the scourge, despite the Cross, Christ rose from death. He had promised it but they could not comprehend. He had preached it but they could not understand. He had died for it and now the victory was His. All His life, all His words, all His actions took on their full meaning this Easter day. The final proof was now part of history. And that history is ours the unfolding of our redemption. We are the people of the Word, we are the people of the Healing, we are the people of the Cross but above all, we are Easter people.

47 station 14 rises from the dead Meditation... He not only died for us he rose from the dead, and there at God s right hand he stands and pleads for us... For I am certain of this: neither death, nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:34, 38-39) Do we believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead for us? Do we believe that He gave us new life by His resurrection? Do we believe that we are to rise with Him to eternal life? Thanksgiving For Your final victory over the power of death. For Your defeat of the forces of evil. For opening to us the way to eternal happiness. Let us pray: Christ our Saviour, You rose from the tomb to prove that You had won for us our redemption, and open to us the way to eternal happiness. May we live with the grace of new life, so that when our earthly existence is over we may all come to the joy of Your Kingdom, where You reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

48 closing prayer Having relived again the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ, our Redeemer, let us now go forth filled with the joy, the hope, and the peace that He gave us when He spoke to His apostles; Do not let your hearts be troubled Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father s house If there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; So that where I am, You may be too.. You know the way to the place where I am going I will not leave you orphans; I will come back to you. In a short time the world will no longer see me; But you will see me, Because I live and you will live. If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him. Those who do not love me do not keep my words. And my word is not my own: It is the word of the one who sent me. I have said these things to you, while still with you; But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you. Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give to you, A peace that the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid (John 14:1-4, 18-19, 23-27)