WELCOMING REMARKS Marty Mittelstadt, Evangel University

Transcription

1 THE WAY OF THE CROSS 2018

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3 WELCOMING REMARKS Marty Mittelstadt, Evangel University We gather this afternoon to express our desire to walk the way of the Cross along with all who suffer in our world today. The root of the word compassion means to suffer with. It is in the cross of Jesus that God shares divine compassion with us. Redemptive love is born out of suffering. Bless us on this journey today, with Jesus our Savior. As our feet follow His walk, may out hearts be open to the presence of Christ in everyone we see. May our hearts respond joyfully to our baptismal call to be His servants. ALL: God of love, help us to remember that Christ has no body now on earth but ours, no hands but ours, no feet but ours. Ours are the eyes to see the needs of the world. Ours are the hands with which to bless everyone now. Ours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good. BIENVENIDOS Fr. Javier Reyes CMF, Catholic Campus Ministries Nos reunimos esta tarde para expresar nuestro deseo de sequir el Camino de la Cruz en solidaridad con todos los que sufren en el mundo de hoy. La raiz de la palabra compasion significa sufrir con. Es en la Cruz de Jesús que Dios comparte divina compasion con nosotros. Amor redentivo nace del sufrimiento. Bendecinos en esta jornada, hoy, con Jesús nuestro Salvador. Al nuestros pies sequir esta caminata, sean nuestros corazones abiertos a la presencia de Cristo en cada persona que miramos. Que nuestros corazones respondan gozosamente a nuestro llamado bautismal de ser tus siervos. TODOS: Dios de amor, ayúdanos a recordar que Cristo no tiene a nadie en la tierra, ahora, sino a nosotros, no tiene otras manos sino las nuestras, otros pies sino los nuestros. Son nuestros los ojos para ver las necesidades del mundo. Nuestras son las manos para bendecirlos a todos. Nuestros son los pies con los que él va haciendo el bien. 3

4 THE WAY OF THE CROSS SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST--- SUFFERINGS OF THE WORLD Fr. Denis Doherty, OSB. St. Joseph Parish God assumes the cross in order to be in solidarity with those who suffer, thus transforming the cross into a sign of blessing, a sign of suffering love. Love, then, is the motive for this assumption of the cross by God. Here is the meaning of a God on the Cross, a God in pain.. courageous poverty, decision, outrage, and suffering win a divine dimension not to numb our awareness in the struggle with the passion of the world, but to say that only in solidarity with the crucified can we struggle against the cross, only in identification with the victims of tribulation can there be real liberation from tribulation. And this was Jesus road, the path of God incarnate. -Passion of Christ, Passion of the World: The Facts, Their Interpretation, and Their Meaning, Yesterday and Today ---Leonardo Boff EL CAMINO DE LA CRUZ LOS SUFRIMIENTOS DE CRISTO--- LOS SUFRIMIENTOS DEL MUNDO Fr. Gaspar Masilamani CMF, Sacred Heart Parish Dios toma su cruz para estar en solida dridad con todos los que sufren, asi transforma la cruz en señal de bendición, señal de amor sufriente. Entonces, amor es el motivo para la aceptación de la cruz por Dios. He aqui el significado de Dios en la Cruz, un Dios que sufre en esta version, el valor en la pobreza, decisión, afrenta, y sufrimiento obtienen una dimension divina no para entorpecer nuestro conocimiento previo en la lucha con la pasión del mundo, sino para decir que solo en solidaridad con el Cristo crucificado podremos batallar contra la cruz, Solo identificándonos con las victimas de tribulación podremos tener verdadera liberación de la tribulación. Y este fué el camino de Jesús, el camino del Dios encarnado. La Pasión de Cristo, La Pasión del Mundo. La Pasión de Cristo La Pasión del Mundo: Los Hechos, Su Interpretación, Y Su Significado, Ayer y Hoy --Leonardo Boff 4

5 1 st STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH Poverty Center City Christian Outreach Well of Life Pilate said to them, Then what shall I do with Jesus called Messiah? They all said, Let him be crucified! But he said, Why? What evil has he done? They only shouted the louder, Let him be crucified! When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd. Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified. (Mt 27:22-26) LEADER: THE CROSS IS: The Groups Response will be: WE THANK YOU FATHER, FOR THE CROSS The cross is the hope of Christians, The cross is the resurrection of the dead. The cross is the way of the lost. The cross is the savior of the lost. The cross is the staff of the lame. The cross is the guide of the blind. The cross is the strength of the weak. The cross is the aim of religious leaders. ALL: Lord, open our eyes, that we may see you in our brothers and sisters. Lord, open our ears, that we may hear the cries of the hungry, the cold, the frightened and the oppressed. Lord, open our hearts, that we may love each other as you love us. Renew in us your spirit Lord, free us and make us one. --Mother Teresa of Calcutta Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 5

6 2 nd STATION: JESUS ACCEPTS HIS CROSS Sanctity of Life Darrin Rogers, Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him; they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him. (Mt 27:27-31) TO PROTECT LIFE LEADER: Merciful God, I ask your pardon and forgiveness for my own failure and the failure of all people to respect and foster all forms of life in our universe. ALL: Gracious God, I pray that with your grace, I and all people will reverence, protect, and promote all life and that we will be especially sensitive to the life of the unborn, the abused, neglected, disabled and the elderly. I pray, too, that all who make decisions about life in any form will do so with wisdom, love, and courage. Sr. M. Margaret Johanning, S.S.N.D. Nihil Obstat: Joseph F. Martino Imprimatur: Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua Archbishop of Philadelphia, June, 1994 Were you there when they laid the cross upon his back? Were you there when they laid the cross upon his back? Were you there when they laid the cross upon his back? 6

7 3 rd STATION: JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME Education Victory Mission Offering emergency and educational services leading to long-term reconciliation, rehabilitation and re-entry into society After withdrawing about a stone s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, Father if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done. (Luke22:41-42) So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. (John 19:16-17) Leader: Lord, at the night of your last supper, you said there are many rooms in your Father s mansion and you promised that you would prepare a home for us there. ALL: LORD, HELP US TO FOLLOW AS YOU LEAD. Leader: Lord, help us to know and do your will every day. ALL: LORD, HELP US TO FOLLOW AS YOU LEAD. Leader: Lord, help us with your strength as we carry the crosses of our lives. ALL: LORD, HELP US TO FOLLOW AS YOU LEAD. Leader: Lord, help us to show your compassion and mercy to the people you place in our lives. ALL: LORD, HELP US TO FOLLOW AS YOU LEAD. Leader: Lord, you have given each of us unique gifts, help us to use our gifts to build your kingdom here on earth. ALL: LORD, HELP US TO FOLLOW AS YOU LEAD. SING: Processional Hymn: Were You There Were you there when He fell upon His knees? Were you there when He fell upon His knees? Were you there when He fell upon His knees? 7

8 4ta. Estación: JESUS SE ENCUENTRA CON SU AFLIJIDA MADRE Imigrantes/Refugiados Comite Hispano de Sacrado Corazon También habia algunas mujeres mirando de lejos; entre ellas estaba Maria Magdalena, Maria la madre de Santiago el menor y de José y Salomé. Estas Mujeres habian seguido a Jesús y lo habian ayudado cuando El estaba en Galilea. Además habia alli muchas otras que habian ido con El a Jerusalén. (Marcos 15:40-41) Junto a la cruz de Jesús estaban su madre, y la hermanade su madre, Maria, esposa de Cleofás, y Maria Magdalena. Cuando Jesús vió a su madre, y junto a ella al discipulo a quien El queria mucho, dijoa su madre Mujer ahi tienes a tu hijo. (Juan 19: 25-26) LIDER: No estemos satisfechos con solo dar plata; la plata no es suficiente, plata podemos obtener. El pobre necesita nuestras Manos para servirle, necesita nuestros corazones para amarle. La religion de Cristo es el amor, la propagación del amor. --Madre Teresa de Calcutta Estabas allí cuando el le miró a sus ojos? Estas allí cuando el le a su miró s ojos? Oh, a veces me hace temblar, temblar, temblar. Estabas allí cuando el le a sus ojos? 4 th STATION: JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER Immigrants/Refugees Sacred Heart Hispanic Committee There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the Younger James and of Joses, and Salome. These women had followed him when he was in Galilee and ministered to him. There were also many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem (Mk 15:40-41). Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, Woman behold, your son (Jn 19:25-26) LEADER: Let us not be satisfied with just giving money; money is not enough, for money one can get. The poor need our hands to serve them, they need our hearts to love them. The religion of Christ is love, the spreading of love. --Mother Teresa of Calcutta Were you there when he looked into her eyes? Were you there when he looked into her eyes? 8

9 Were you there when he looked into her eyes? 5 TH STATION: SIMON HELPS JESUS CARRY HIS CROSS Violence in Society Catholic Prison Ministry As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26) LEADER: Gracious God, we live in a violent society, a violent nation, a violent world. Our homes, work places, our schools and governments all bear the scars of both subtle and blatant hostility. Even though we have seen that violence, it only spawns more of the same. We continue to be consumers, supporters, and participants in the behavior which is destroying us. Each one of us is a perpetrator as well as a victim. You sent the Prince of Peace to teach new ways of love and reconciliation to the teachings of the Father. ALL: Create in us new hearts. Give us the courage to begin to acknowledge and address the personal, social and political violence we encounter and participate in each day. Make us true channels of your peace and purveyors of your justice as we work to discover creative and positive ways to build acceptance, love and understanding among all your children. AMEN LEADER: In all the suffering and anguish around us Lord we pray: ALL SING: Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon Lord. And where there s doubt, true faith in you. --St. Francis of Assisi Were you there to help him in his need? Were you there to help him in his need? Were you there to help him in his need? 9

10 6 TH STATION: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS The Homeless The Kitchen A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured. Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you. And from that hour the woman was cured. (Mt. 9:20-22) LEADER: On this Good Friday, we remember that we serve Jesus Christ in those who are sick or in need. God of grace your will for us is healing and salvation. ALL: WE PRAISE AND BLESS YOU, LORD. LEADER: God the Son, you came that we might have life and might have it more abundantly. ALL: WE PRAISE AND BLESS YOU, LORD. LEADER: God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies temples of your presence. ALL: WE PRAISE AND BLESS YOU, LORD LEADER: Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have our being. ALL: WE PRAISE AND BLESS YOU, LORD LEADER: Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured or disabled that they may be made whole. ALL: HEAR US LORD OF LIFE. LEADER: Lord, grant to all who are lonely, anxious or depressed, knowledge of your will and an awareness of your presence. ALL: HEAR US LORD OF LIFE. LEADER: Lord, grant wisdom and inspiration to our legislators to provide for all in need with life issues. ALL: HEAR US LORD OF LIFE. LEADER: Lord, grant to all who minister to those who are suffering the wisdom and skills needed to help bring people in need an abundant life. ALL: HEAR US LORD OF LIFE. Were you there to wipe away his tears? Were you there to wipe away his tears? Were you there to wipe away his tears? 10

11 7 TH STATION: JESUS FALLS A SECOND TIME The Alienated Community Partnership of the Ozarks One Door If God is for us, who can be against? (God) who did not spare his own Son but handed Him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? (Rom 8:31-32) PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER LEADER: For those who suffer and cry this night, give them repose, Lord, and a pause in their burdens. Let there be minutes where they experience peace, not of man but of angels. Love them, Lord, when others cannot. Hold them, Lord, when we fail with human arms. ---Margaret A. Davidson, 1996 ALL: Father of the poor, God of love, you made us all your children. We praise you and thank you. Fill us with a sense of justice. Help us in your work, to take the side of the lowly, to defend the newcomer, to welcome the stranger. Help us now to befriend the friendless, to protect the weak children, and to work for the rights of all. Were you there when he lay upon the ground? Were you there when he lay upon the ground? Were you there when he lay upon the ground? 11

12 8 TH STATION: JESUS CONSOLES THE WOMEN Council of Churches Safe to Sleep A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children (Lk 23:27-29) LEADER: Let us pray for all our fellow men and women whose pain and misery comes to us every day in the newspapers, on television and face to face. The group s response will be: WE PRAY TO THE LORD. For the millions who are starving to death... For those who are without adequate shelter... For those who lack clothing... For those whose human rights are ignored... For all who suffer from illness... For refugees who have had to flee from their lands... For all who are chronically hungry... For greater action on our part to feed the hungry... ALL: May your mercy be on all of us, Lord, as we search for better ways to heal and serve your people. Give us insight, sensitivity, creativity, strength, and courage as we seek together ways to end hunger in the world. Amen. --- (Copyright 1990, Banquet of Praise; Bread for the World) Were you there to see pain in their face? Were you there to see pain in their face? Were you there to see pain in their face? 12

13 9 th STATION: JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME Broken Families Boys and Girls Club of Springfield My iniquities overwhelm me, a burden beyond my strength (Ps 38:5) LEADER: Lord, Jesus, our God, we know you because you chose to become part of our human family. You chose to become as us, flesh and blood, to show us the way to eternal life. ALL: MAY WE BE FAMILY TO EACH OTHER LEADER: Lord, Jesus, you were born of a woman, Mary, humble and poor, ALL: MAY WE BE FAMILY TO EACH OTHER LEADER: Lord, Jesus, you learned and studied and grew in wisdom, ALL: MAY WE BE FAMILY TO EACH OTHER LEADER: Lord, Jesus, you learned a trade from your father, Joseph, ALL: MAY WE BE FAMILY TO EACH OTHER LEADER: Lord, Jesus, you read the scripture in your house of worship, ALL: MAY WE BE FAMILY TO EACH OTHER LEADER: Lord, Jesus, you spoke in your community for the poor and down trodden, ALL: MAY WE BE FAMILY TO EACH OTHER Were you there when he tried and fell again? Were you there when he tried and fell again? Were you there when he tried and fell again? 13

14 10 TH STATION: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS Hunger St. Vincent de Paul Society When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. So they said to one another, Let s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be. In order that the passage of scripture might be fulfilled (that says) They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. (John 19:23-24). LEADER: The mockery and condemnation, the scourging and the carrying of the cross, the crowning with thorns and the public spectacle all were part of the stripping. LEADER: In failure and sorrow ALL: ENOUGH, ENOUGH! LEADER: In view of all who choose to look ALL: ENOUGH, ENOUGH! LEADER: Forgive us Lord for the dignity we have taken from you in our stripping of each other, in the child whose self-confidence and trust are stripped by incestuous relations with a parent ALL: ENOUGH, ENOUGH! LEADER: In the teen whose self-respect is stripped by parental humiliation and unfair expectation. ALL: ENOUGH, ENOUGH! LEADER: Jesus, forgive us for our lack of integrity, for our need to cover up and cover over, for our need to hide and conceal. Forgive us for the dignity we have taken in our stripping of each other through acts of domestic violence. Were you there when they stripped and mocked our Lord? Were you there when they stripped and mocked our Lord? Were you there when they stripped and mocked our Lord? 14

15 11 TH STATION: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS Death Penalty Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty The soldiers tried to give Jesus wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he refused. The soldiers crucified Jesus and divided his clothes among themselves, throwing lots to decide what each soldier would get. It was nine o clock in the morning when they crucified Jesus. (Mark 15:23-25) LEADER: God of compassion, You let your rain fall on the just and the unjust. Expand and deepen our hearts so that we may love you as you love even those among us who have caused the greatest pain by taking life. For there is in our land a great cry for vengeance as we fill up death rows and kill the killers in the name of justice, in the name of peace. Jesus our brother, you suffered execution at the hands of the state, but you did not let hatred overcome you. Help us reach out to victims of violence so that our enduring love may help them heal. Holy Spirit of God, you strengthen us in the struggle for justice, help us to work tirelessly for the abolition of state-sanctioned death. Renew our society in its very heart so that violence will be no more. ALL: AMEN ALL: O God, our society is plagued with feelings of fear and revenge. Clarify our vision, that we may see everyone, including those on death row, as our brothers and sisters in God s one human family. Remove the lure of the supporters of executions and heal the hate lurking within us all. We pray for compassion, a sense of justice, the ability to listen to those in pain. God of mercy, send your spirit of peace and tranquility upon all who are imprisoned. Were you there when they nailed him to the Cross? Were you there when they nailed him to the Cross? Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 15

16 Were you there when they nailed him to the Cross? 12 TH STATION: JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS Reaching Out. Creating Hope. Changing Lives Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani? which is translated, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. (Mk 15:43, 45-46) LEADER: Aware of our weakness and confident of Your Mercy, we pray: We ask forgiveness of you, our God, and the forgiveness of those gathered here. We ask forgiveness for being too quick to ignore those who die from our neglect. ALL: SHOW US YOUR MERCY LEADER: We ask forgiveness for allowing ourselves again and again to turn away from those made in your image. ALL: SHOW US YOUR MERCY LEADER: We ask forgiveness for our narrowness of heart in our actions. Help us to meet and accept others who lack both human and financial resources we have. ALL: SHOW US YOUR MERCY LEADER: We ask forgiveness for letting poverty discourage us, for becoming cynical toward those who need us. ALL: SHOW US YOU MERCY LEADER: Loving God, You know our weakness and the extent of our failures to love you and one another. ALL: AMEN Were you there when He died upon the cross? Were you there when He died upon the cross Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble Were you there when He died upon the cross? 16

17 13 th STATION: JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS Meets the Growing Need of Pregnant Women in Crisis Life House Crisis Maternity Home / Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus... (Pilate) gave the body to Joseph. Having brought a linen cloth, he took him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb. (Mark 15: 43, 45-46) LEADER I: We imagine Jesus as he looks to the people standing around. With his mother standing silently, let us see his painful gaze seeking relief from those who came out to see. ALL: Motivated by the love of Christ, let us seek to improve the lives of the vulnerable by providing quality and compassionate social services to meet local needs. LEADER 2: As you are taken down from the cross, you are among many of us who also need help from one another. Help us to use the skills and gifts we take for granted to welcome and give comfort to the anxious who need relief. ALL: Help us to recognize the needs of our brothers and sisters for shelter, food, health care and literacy with openness to both strangers and people of all faiths. LEADER 3: As your body comes peacefully into the arms of Joseph of Arimathea, Mary and John, help us to have open arms and hearts to the ones who have been victims of power in our culture, society, arrogance and affluence. ALL: Jesus, we follow you carrying your cross, we acknowledge our sinfulness as a people in failing to see others needs and suffering, and failing to provide equal access to resources. Sing the Processional Hymn: Were You There Were you there when they laid him in her arms? Were you there when they laid him in her arms? Were you there when they laid him in her arms? 17

18 14 TH STATION: JESUS IS PLACED IN THE TOMB Spiritual Poverty Council of Churches of the Ozarks Connections Handyman Services Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it (in) a clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there facing the tomb. (Mt 2: 59-61) LEADER: Thank you for this time we have spent together. Thank you for these moments where your love can touch our hearts. We love you Lord. We need your help this week as we try to fear, worship and sacrifice in your holy name. We thank you for your sacrifice for us on the Cross. During the coming days, help us be a conduit as we encounter people who do not know you. Help us to let your light and love flow out to them. Touch the lives and hearts of all we pray for each day. In the name of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit who lives in us and touches us. ALL: AMEN Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? A FINAL REFLECTION BY BISHOP EDWARD M. RICE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD - CAPE GIRARDEAU 18

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