FEATURE STORY Meditations on the STATIONS OF THE CROSS BY FATHER KEITH LABOVE PHOTOS FROM ST. MARTIN DE TOURS CHURCH, ST. MARTINVILLE. 1 Jesus is condemned to death 2 LORD, HAVE MERCY ON THE POOR: Jesus did not deem equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he accepted the poverty of the human condition, emptying himself for the salvation of the world. Having taken on the form of a slave, he accepted even an unjust condemnation to death. In his poverty, we are made rich. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY on those who live everyday unable to deny or ignore their own poverty, because they lack even the basic necessities of life. Look kindly upon those without jobs, without opportunity and those who are denied a living wage. Teach us to embrace our own poverty of spirit, that we might grow in an abiding love for the poor in our midst. Jesus shoulders his cross LORD, HAVE MERCY ON THE HUNGRY: How generously Jesus bore the burden of the cross on that long journey to Golgotha. What burning aches he experienced as step after step yielded no relief from the emptiness he had embraced. He was denied even a bit of bread or a sip of water, which might have provided some small relief. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY on those who carry the cross of empty bellies and parched throats. Teach us to be always mindful of those who bear the burden of hunger, living every moment of every day so conscious of the emptiness of their bellies. May we relieve their burden, not only out of our excess, but also out of our need. TUNE IN TO TELL THE PEOPLE Throughout the Lenten season, Father Keith Labove will be featured on Tell the People as he expands on the connections between Jesus on the way to the cross and the call to practice the corporal works of mercy in our lives. Please visit www.diolaf.org/tellthe-people to learn more about your opportunities to tune into the program. 24
3 Jesus falls the first time LORD, HAVE MERCY ON THE ABUSED CHILD: During his ministry, Jesus tirelessly walked the dusty roads of Galilee, step after step bringing him to the towns and villages where he would preach the good news. Yet even he was not immune to the burdens heaped upon him by others, falling to the ground under the weight of the cross at the very beginning of his journey to Golgotha. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY on the children who carry the heavy burden of abuse in the early years of their life s journey. Give them the courage to continue on the path you will show them, May they find healing and hope, especially in the loving touch of people who truly love and respect them. 4 Jesus meets his mother LORD, HAVE MERCY ON THE HOMELESS: In becoming one like us in all things but sin, Jesus accepted the human need for food and shelter and clothing. On the way of the cross, he met his mother, who provided him with the home he needed. Having welcomed him into her body, she kept him safe in that home, where he grew in wisdom and age and grace. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY on those who have no place to lay their heads, the homeless with no shelter, no warmth, no bed. Teach us to build a society that practices mercy, where all find welcome, and where no one is turned away at the inn. 5 Simon helps Jesus carry the cross LORD, HAVE MERCY ON THOSE DENIED FREEDOM: As Jesus was forced to walk that loathsome journey pressed upon him, Simon of Cyrene was also forced to walk in his footsteps, carrying the cross Jesus had accepted and embraced. This forced service was done in the name of him who always allowed others to choose their own way, even if that meant rejecting his gift of salvation. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY on all those denied the freedom to choose their own path in life, whose fundamental freedoms are stripped away by those in power. Teach us to treasure the gift of freedom, given not only to us, but to all, and teach us to use that gift well. 25
6 Jesus meets Veronica LORD, HAVE MERCY ON THE SICK AND DYING: How often Jesus reached out with healing hands to touch the sick and the dying. Yet it fell to Veronica to offer comfort to him in his hour of need, wiping the sweat from his brow, touching his heart with the gift of her mercy and compassion. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY on the sick and dying in our midst. In their hour of need, may they know your loving presence, and your healing touch. Teach us to walk with them, sharing their journey through illness and injury to health. Fill us with grace and mercy, that we might accompany them through the darkness of dying to the light of eternal life. 7 Jesus falls the second time LORD, HAVE MERCY ON THE ABUSED SPOUSE: Once more, the weight of his burden drives Jesus to the ground, as he falls again. Yet he did not let that deter him from continuing the journey to life. The violence and abuse heaped upon him did not break his spirit, as he remained faithful to his task and mission. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY on those who are abused and broken, again and again, even by those who should love them most. We pray for spouses who are beaten down by shame and violence at the hands of those who promised them love forever. May they find the courage to choose life and dignity for themselves rejecting the prison of a misguided love. 8 Jesus meets the women LORD HAVE MERCY ON THOSE WHO MOURN: Even in the midst of his own suffering, Jesus was mercifully attentive to the tears of the women of Jerusalem, as they wept for him, as they wept for themselves, and as they wept for all whose hearts are shattered by loss. He shared their grief, as he felt their sorrow in his own loving heart. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY on those whom life has left with broken hearts, and strengthen them for the difficult road that lies ahead of them. May those who grieve be led to turn to you, that the light of your boundless mercy shine in their darkness. Through your grace, and with the loving support of brothers and sisters, may their grief be turned into joy. 26
9 Jesus falls the third time LORD, HAVE MERCY ON FAMILIES THAT ARE BROKEN: Not once, not twice, but three times did Jesus fall to the ground, and three times he struggled to his feet. He did not allow the burdens and blows to defeat him, but once more he rose to go forward, to pass through death into life. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY upon those families who are bowed down and broken, ravaged by addiction, stripped bare by unemployment, torn apart by divorce. As Jesus found strength to rise and go forward, may each find the grace and the strength to rise, and with hope, to keep on walking together as family. 10 Jesus is stripped of his garments LORD, HAVE MERCY ON THE REFUGEES OF OUR WORLD: Those who oppressed Jesus cared nothing for his worth or his value as a child of God. They could not see him as brother, but only as enemy. Seeking to deprive him of all dignity, they stripped him of even his clothing, putting him on display for the world. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY on all those who are threatened by those who call them enemy. Forced from their homes, they are stripped of their possessions and their security. Driven from their homeland by violence and oppression, may all refugees find merciful and welcoming hearts in the foreign lands to which they flee for their lives. 11 Jesus is nailed to the cross LORD, HAVE MERCY ON VICTIMS OF RACISM AND HATRED: Beaten and abused, Christ Jesus finally reached the Place of the Skull, and was lifted up on the cross for all to see. Put on display to crowds and passers-by, he was called names and mocked, ridiculed and despised. He was looked down upon with hatred and disdain. as he was judged and cast aside. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY on those who are hated and despised for the color their skin, for the language they speak, for their place of origin or for their faith. You died for all, especially for those whom society disdains. May all peoples be accorded the dignity that is theirs as having been created in the image and likeness of God. 27
12 Jesus dies on the Cross LORD, HAVE MERCY ON THE UNBORN: Jesus was truly the innocent one. Yet even as he prepared to hand over his Spirit, his heart was filled with mercy. He offered forgiveness to those who did not know what they were doing, and promised paradise to the repentant thief. Even as he died the death of the innocent, he revealed the mercy of the Father. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY on the innocent unborn whose lives are cut short because they are inconvenient, unplanned or unwanted. We pray for all victims of abortion. We pray mercy for those who abuse choice by choosing death for their unborn children. Crying out with Rachel for her children who are no more, may they all find peace and healing. 13 Jesus is taken down from the cross LORD, HAVE MERCY ON THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: As the body of Jesus was taken down from the cross, he was placed into the loving arms of the woman who welcomed him into this world. Simeon s promise of a heart pierced by sorrow was fulfilled, as Mary mourned his death. Ever a faithful daughter, she once more placed her beloved son into the hands of our merciful Father. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY on all whose lives here on earth have drawn to a close. Even as we mourn with broken hearts, still we trust in your gracious mercy, and we commend the souls of our loved ones into your saving hands. Heal broken hearts and help us to be the face of mercy to all who mourn their loved ones. 14 Jesus is laid in the tomb LORD, HAVE MERCY ON HEARTS OF STONE: Into the tomb they delivered the body of the one they had hoped would set Israel free. Yet, with hope beyond hope, that tomb became the throne of new life, through the saving power of God s loving mercy. The stone is rolled away, and that place of death becomes a place of encounter with the Lord of Life. CHRIST, HAVE MERCY on us, whose hearts have been hardened by suffering, and disappointment and especially by sin. As the stone was rolled away from the tomb, so roll back our hearts of stone, and transform them into hearts of flesh, hearts that are filled with love and with mercy. 28