The Footsteps of Christ St Oswald s Catholic Primary School Easter Service 2017 Year 1, 2 & 3 We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you because, by your cross, you have redeemed the world.
Jesus invites you to follow him. When you follow Jesus in this way you can begin to see how incredible his love for you is. Through our prayers, we join in Jesus suffering and in the suffering of all. By your prayer, you thank Jesus for all he did for us. When you pray in the way of the Cross, Jesus invites you to change your heart to love.
1 JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH Pilate having ordered Jesus to be whipped, handed him over to be crucified. Mark 14:15 How beautiful is Jesus gentleness in the face of those who want to kill him. How patient and calm, even when they do not believe he is the son of God. When I condemn others, when I judge them it s you, Jesus, I am rejecting. Lord Jesus, you have never condemned anyone. Teach me to love as you alone know how to love.
2 JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS Jesus was taken away, and went out, carrying the cross himself, to the place of the skull, Golgotha, there they crucified him John, 19:16-18 How heavy Jesus cross is! It wounds his shoulders and hurts him. Jesus still carries it himself, that s how much he loves us. O Jesus, you help me carry the weight of the small sufferings of my life. I pray to you, Lord, for all those who are struggling under the weight of difficulties, and all sorts of suffering.
3 JESUS FALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 Jesus is exhausted and the cross is so heavy, he falls beneath its weight. Humbly, he stands up again and continues on his way. O Jesus, give me your strength when I am discouraged and when everything is difficult. Help me to stand up again and not stay crushed by my sadness.
4 JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER, MARY Simeon said to Mary You see this child he is destined to fall Luke 2 Mary is at the side of the road. She gives Jesus courage and she accompanies him right to the end. Their eyes meet full of love for each other. Just by being there, she helps him with the strength of her love. Poor Mary- her heart is pierced with sorrow but she is still full of hope because she knows he is the Son of God. Lord Jesus, I pray to you for all the children in the world who are suffering. May Mary, your mother give them her tenderness.
5 SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS TO CARRY HIS CROSS On their way to Golgotha, they met a man from Cyrene, Simon by name, and pressed him into service to carry his cross. Luke 23:26) Simon has a good heart and he is touched by Jesus suffering. He helps Jesus as much by his compassion as by the strength of his arms. Like Simon, we can help others to carry their cross. Lord, help me see when people around me are upset. When I help them, I am helping you.
6 VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS He was despised and rejected by men Isaiah 53 Veronica wiped the face of Jesus because she saw before her a suffering person, not knowing that he was the Son of God. At this gesture, so full of goodness and compassion, Jesus stops for a moment. Like Veronica who wiped your face, with my love I can try to comfort those who are suffering. Dear Jesus, I pray for the sick, the old, the lonely and the abandoned, and for all those who are sad whom I would like to comfort.
7JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME Harshly dealt with, he bore it bravely, he never opened his mouth Isaiah 53 So many people followed Jesus, the path was rough. He falls down exhausted. The crowd murmurs. The soldiers are impatient. Slowly he gets up again and carries on walking. Our weaknesses and our bad habits often make us fall. It s Jesus strength that lifts us up again. Even if I make good resolutions, I find it hard to keep them! O Jesus, teach me not to become discouraged and, when I fall, to accept it humbly. Give me your patience and your strength.
8 JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM Jesus turned to them and said, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me. Weep rather for yourselves and for your children! Luke 23:27-31 Along the road some women are crying. When they see Jesus pass, exhausted, in front of them, they are filled with pity. Jesus told them to look at their own sorrows, to open their hearts and to change their lives. He invites us too, to change our hearts, our thoughts, our words and our actions.
9 JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME A wheat grain that falls to the ground gives a rich harvest John 12 Three times Peter denied Jesus. Three times Jesus gave Peter his blessing. Three times Jesus falls under the weight of his cross. Three times he stands up again. His strength fails him, but not his will. What a lesson in courage he teaches us! Out of love for us, he goes to the end of the journey In spite of all the times I fall, Lord, I know you always love me. Thank you, Jesus, for lifting me up again and giving me the joy of forgiveness.
10 JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS CLOTHES When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his clothes and,, divided them into four parts, one of each soldier. John 19:23-24 All the people are shouting and pushing him. They mock him with their looks and insult him with their words. Their hearts are closed. He does not complain. He does not defend himself. In spite of their offences and insults, he continues to love them. His dignity shines through. Teach me how to love like this.
JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS Seeing his mother, with the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, Jesus said to her, Mother, there is your son ; and to the disciple, There is your mother ; and from that moment the disciple took her into his home. John 19.26-27 Mary is still there near Jesus. She does not abandon him. With her, I will stand at the foot of the cross. With her I will pray that your love will reach everyone.
12 JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS It was about midday and a darkness fell over the whole land, which lasted until three in the afternoon: the sun s light failed. Jesus said Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:44-47 In spite of the cruel shouting, Jesus speaks to his Father. Listen to his prayer because he has already forgiven those who are killing him. Lord Jesus, at the hour of your death your arms are wide open to welcome us and to offer us your forgiveness. Teach me, Jesus, to forgive others as you forgive me.
13 JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS When it was evening, a disciple called Joseph, bravely went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Mark 15:43-46 He took Jesus down from the cross and placed him in Mary s arms. Mary, your heart aches in pain, but he leaves you his peace. Jesus, when I pray it s your peace that lives in me. I want to live in that peace.
14 JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB So they took the body, wrapped it in a clean shroud and put it in his own new tomb.they rolled a large stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away. Matthew 27 Suddenly there is only silence and emptiness! Jesus is no longer seen, no longer heard. Everything seems lost. Everyone has gone back to their homes, back to their own lives. Mary waits and prays in front of the tomb It is in prayer when I hear you Lord, in your words you come to me.
15 JESUS IS RISEN They looked for Jesus body but could not find him, when suddenly an angel appeared and said There is no need for you to be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen as he said he would. Matthew 28:5-6 Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, so they went in; but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Oh Jesus help me to show the world I love you
JESUS IS RISEN It is a beautiful Easter morning! The rays of sun light up the women at the tomb. They are amazed! They quickly run to tell everyone, He is alive! O Jesus, make me a witness to your love. May the light of your resurrection light up my heart and shine through my eyes, and in all I say and do! Let us take a few moments to reflect upon the Story of Easter. As we make the sign of the cross, may we remember that Jesus died and rose to life so that we can have life everlasting.