THE WAY OF THE CROSS

THE WAY OF THE CROSS EXPLANATION OF WORLD YOUTH DAY CROSS & ICON In 1984 Pope John Paul II entrusted a simple wooden cross to the youth of the world, and asked them to bear it in the world as a sign of the love of the Lord Jesus for humanity. In 2003 he presented young people with a further gift, an icon of Mary with the child Jesus, to journey together with the Cross as a sign of Mary s motherly presence close to young people. In response to the Holy Father s requests, literally millions of young people from every continent have carried, touched and prayed before the Cross and Icon. This Cross has become a central symbol of the international World Youth Days. World Youth Day 2008. What a tremendous opportunity! Let us rediscover the Cross. Let us rediscover the One who hung there to make us whole again, to draw us to himself, to win heaven for us. For he is the head of the body, the Church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his Cross. INTRODUCTION - reader We have the gift of Holy Thursday, the Blessed Eucharist, to meditate on, shadowed by the darkness of Good Friday, as we come together to reflect on the Way of the Cross. Today on Palm Sunday, the day the crowds hailed Jesus with Hozanna in the Highest. How fickle is humanity? In less than a week their cry went from Hozanna in the Highest to Crucify him!. Today we reflect upon Jesus journey from Jerusalem to Calvary. The stations of the Cross adorn every Catholic Church in every nation in the world. They cause us to see the extraordinary love of a God prepared to die for us. EXPOSITON (During Opening Hymn) OPENING HYMN - Behold the Cross Gary Pinto wyd08 Receive the Power the Album songs of faith and love

STATION 1 - Jesus is Condemned to Death - reader Jesus, hands bound, standing with Pilate who is addressing the crowd. Jesus stands before Pilate. The innocent one is condemned by the powers of this world, to be stripped, beaten and executed on the Cross. SCRIPTURE (Mark 15:9-13) Then Pilate answered them, Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews? For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barrabas instead. Pilate spoke to them again, Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews? They shouted back, Crucify him! It s not fair! How many times have we said that. If anyone ever had a right to say It s not fair! it was Jesus. Condemned by those who days before had honoured him, betrayed and denied by his closest friends. And worst of all abandoned by His beloved Father. Life may not always be fair death of a friend, cruel words and rejection, family pain, failure. But Jesus set His heart on the Will of His Father and trusted for His purposes to turn all to glory. The glory of God. May our lives be turned to the glory of God. PRAYER Priest Lord, give us the strength to believe in You through hard times, and let us see your suffering as a sign that You are with us and one of us. Forgive us when we lose faith in You. Lord move us, change us, make us into Your image. QUIET MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Jesus Remember Me

STATION 2 - Jesus Accepts the Cross - reader Jesus has purple robe, crown of thorns and the Cross placed on him by a soldier. On that back torn by scourging, the rough wood of the Cross is now loaded. He takes the first stumbling steps on his way to Golgotha. He is bearing the sins of the world, the load of our guilt, of our selfishness, of all the hard, cold heaviness of loveless lives. SCRIPTURE - reader (John 19:1-3) Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! and striking him on the face. (John 19:16-17) Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus: and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. Do you remember in Mel Gibson s Passion of the Christ when Jesus is being flogged by the torturer? And then when you think he has finished, the soldiers turn Jesus over and the torturer continues to whip Jesus. Did you scream out No more!? No more we say but the scourging, the thorns, the Cross is accepted for us. This is Love silently screaming No more but yet allows the crude wood of the Cross to be loaded onto His broken body. All our sins were placed on Jesus, who was without sin. Again He says No more to us No more sins!. PRAYER Priest Lord, how can we ever know what it cost you to carry our sins. Forgive us our pride, our judgements, our criticisms, our lack of love for others.

QUIET MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Jesus Remember Me STATION 3 - Jesus Falls the First Time - reader Jesus falls under the Cross The climb is long, the way is narrow; the load is heavy; the taunting crowd presses close; the guards hurry him on. He trips; and falls beneath the weight across his shoulders HYMN Be Not Afraid 1975, 1978, Robert J Dufford, SJ. And New Dawn Music. Published by OCP Publications. PRAYER Priest Lord, allow us to understand our part in your passion. Forgive us that we do not see the cost to You of our sin. Lord move us, change us, make us into your image QUIET MUSIC FOR REFLECTION - Jesus Remember Me STATION 4 - Jesus Meets His Mother - reader Jesus holding the Cross looks into the face of His mother, Mary. Anguish, grief, distress, pierced. The heart of Mary was torn at the sight of her son. Every mother suffers when her child is hurt, tormented, teased, rejected. Scripture say Honour your mother and father On the road to Calvary Mary suffered with her Son. Later in agony on the Cross, Jesus looked upon his mother and entrusted her to John. HYMN Hail Mary: Gentle Woman 1975,1978,2003 Carey Landry, Published by OCP Publications.

PRAYER Priest Lord Jesus, by the love you felt for this woman, by the love she felt for you, open our hearts to the suffering of the humble and the good of this world to all who feel so defenceless against violence and hatred. May love keep on being love, no matter what the pain, and light our way Mary, by the sword that pierced your heart, waken our hearts to that love that has been shown us in the passion of your Son. QUIET MUSIC FOR REFLECTION - Jesus Remember Me STATION 5 - Simon Helps Jesus - reader Jesus helped with the Cross by Simon. The dark-skinned man from distant Africa is pressed into service. He is a farmer, coming from his fields to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. By helping the weakening Jesus, he found the beginning of faith: for his sons Alexander and Rufus were to become known to the early Church. SCRIPTURE - reader (Luke 23:26) As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. There s no doubt it is easier to ignore the plight of others than to help. To mind our own business. Simon was randomly plucked out from the crowd to help Jesus. Or was he? His contact with the Saviour changed his life. Neither have you been randomly chosen to know the Lord Jesus Christ. But rather the Father has lovingly called you to receive His Holy Spirit and to know His Son. And does the Son of Man need you? Yes to carry the truth of His Cross to a broken world.

PRAYER reader Lord, make us like Simon. Help us to carry people when they are struggling. Forgive us for the times that we walk away from helping others. Give us more of your Holy Spirit so that we can do as you have asked us. QUIET MUSIC FOR REFLECTION - Jesus Remember Me STATION 6 - Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus - reader Jesus, holding the Cross as Veronica holds her veil up to wipe His face. The dust and the blood running down his swollen face cloud his vision. A courageous woman defies the crowd and wipes his face with her veil. He sees her clearly now; and in the light of his gaze, the splendour of an infinite love shines upon her. Mother Teresa said - When we touch the sick and needy, we touch the suffering body of Christ. What on earth could you do to ease the pain for Jesus as He drags the Cross to His death? Little really. Except perhaps to break through the crowds and tenderly wipe the blood and sweat from His torn face. Even a cup of water given in my name will not go unrewarded. Take courage of heart to touch those who seem untouchable for, is it not Jesus we are touching. PRAYER priest Lord Jesus, by the love that drew Veronica to you, make each of us a healing presence in your world, to use our hands to wipe away the grim and the tears of life to see ourselves and others as your mercy sees Inspire us to find the beauty that lies hidden in our world, to go beyond our prejudices and harsh judgments and disappointments to detect your grace at work in every life.

QUIET MUSIC FOR REFLECTION - Jesus Remember Me STATION 7 - Jesus Falls the Second Time - reader Jesus falls under the weight of the Cross He is forced on, pulled beyond those loving meetings with his mother and the good Veronica. Even though Simon is there to help, He is drained of strength and falls once more to the ground. Mother Teresa said - Jesus continues to live his passion. He continues to fall, poor and hungry, just like he fell on the way to Calvary. Are we at his side to volunteer to help him? Do we walk next to him with our sacrifice, with our piece of bread real bread to help him get over his weakness? HYMN Amazing Love Chris Thomlin Amazing love, how can it be That you my king would die for me Amazing love, I know it s true It s my joy to honour You In all I do I honour You I forgiven because You were forsaken I m accepted You were condemned I m alive and well Your Spirit is within me Because You died and rose again (Ending) You are my King, You are my King Jesus You are my King, Jesus You are my King PRAYER priest Lord, we have forgiveness through your precious blood spilt out for us. Forgive us that we fail to offer forgiveness to others.

QUIET MUSIC FOR REFLECTION - Jesus Remember Me STATION 8 - Jesus Speaks to the Women - reader Jesus, holding the Cross, speaks to two women Once more He hears the voice of love and tenderness. Once more it is the voice of women, mothers with children in their arms. Those who are closest to life, who know how vulnerable and fragile our lives can be, these saw the full horror of what was taking place. SCRIPTURE - reader (Luke 23:27-28) A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breast and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children Horror is all around us murders, bashings, children abused, abortions, earthquakes, children starving. These things can cause us to weep. These terrible things assault us and we feel helpless. Jesus knew weep for yourselves and your children. But He also said Be not afraid for I am with you. We must take Christ to a dying world. PRAYER priest Lord, forgive us that we so often shut our eyes to the pain. QUIET MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Jesus Remember Me STATION 9 - Jesus Falls the Third Time - reader Jesus, falls under the weight of the Cross

Mother Teresa wrote - Sometime ago, while I was in New York, one of our AIDS patients called me. When I got to his bedside, he said: Because you are my friend, I want to confide in you. When I can hardly stand my headaches (I image that you know that one of the symptoms of AIDS is terrible headaches), I share it with the pain that Jesus must have suffered because of the crown of thorns. When the pain moves to my back, I share it with the pain Jesus must have felt when the soldiers gave him the lashes. When my hands hurt, I share that pain with the pain Jesus felt when he was crucified. That is truly proof of the greatness of love: the one of a young man who suffers from the scourge of AIDS! I assure you, he had no hope for a cure and he was aware that he did not have long to live. However, he had extraordinary courage. He found it in his love for Jesus, sharing his passion. There was no sadness or anguish in his face. Instead, you could see a great peace and a deep joy in him. Do we turn our struggles and pain around and not focus on ourselves? Do we love Jesus enough to turn our suffering to joy? Do we love Jesus enough to share his pass passion? PRAYER priest Lord, only in your suffering can we find true joy. Forgive us for our whining and complaining. QUIET MUSIC FOR REFLECTION - Jesus Remember Me STATION 10 - Jesus is Stripped - reader A soldier pulls the purple robe off Jesus His clothes are pulled from him, and the soldiers cast lots for his last blood-stained possessions. He is left naked to the world  Love has stripped him of everything: For our sake, he became poor..

SCRIPTURE- reader (John 19:23) When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from to bottom. Let s not tear it, they said to one another. Let s decide by lot who will get it. This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. REFLECTION reader All had been taken from Jesus, left naked hanging on a cross. The divine exchange took place on a cross. Jesus took upon himself everything that was due to us, shame, poverty, rejection, disease, abandonment, sin, death; so that we could have everything due to Him, dignity, wealth, acceptance, health, security, forgiveness and eternal life. He gave up all His rights, He took our place, on the Cross. PRAYER priest Lord, you took our place. Forgive us that we forget. QUIET MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Jesus Remember Me STATION 11 - Jesus is Nailed to the Cross - reader The Cross is placed in its stand. Jesus stands in front of it with his hands extended to the cross beam with a soldier holding one of Jesus hands and hammering with his other hand. He has been betrayed, abandoned by his followers, condemned, mocked and tortured. Now the cross the most hideous form of execution known to the ancient world, the ultimate deterrent reserved for rebellious slaves. The nails pierce flesh and nerve, and he is lifted up in the sight of all. SCRIPTURE - reader (Luke 23:32-38) Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right hand one on his left. Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. And they cast lots to divide his clothing.

Jesus showed us the true meaning of forgiveness, a forgiveness that has stood the test of time. In a world that sometimes seems full of hatred and violence, we must be confident of God s continuous love for us, even during times of doubt and distress. PRAYER priest Lord, grant us your grace to offer forgiveness to those who have wounded us. May the act of our will to forgive become a reality in our hearts. QUIET MUSIC FOR REFLECTION - Jesus Remember Me STATION 12 - Jesus Dies on the Cross - reader Jesus bows his head. READING reader In his hours of agony, of desperate struggle for breath a great darkness gathered over the land. SCRIPTURE - reader (Luke 23:44-49) It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun s light failed, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a large voice, said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, Certainly this man was innocent. Max Lucado wrote - Had the centurion not said it, the soldiers would have. Had the centurion not said, the rocks would have as would have the angels, the stars, even the demons. But he did say it. It fell to a nameless foreigner to state what they all knew. Surely this man was the Son of God. Six hours on one Friday. Six hours that jut up on the plain of human

history like Mount Everest in a desert. Six hours that have been deciphered, dissected, and debated for two thousand years. What do these six hours signify? They claim to be the door in time through which eternity entered man s darkest caverns. The mark the moments that the Navigator descended into the deepest waters to leave anchor points for his followers. What does that Friday mean? For the life blackened with failure, that Friday means forgiveness. For the heart scarred with futility, that Friday means purpose. And for the soul looking into this side of the tunnel of death, that Friday means deliverance. Six hours. One Friday. What do you do with those six hours on that Friday? PRAYER Lord, forgive us. RESPONSE QUIET MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Jesus Remember Me STATION 13 - Jesus is Laid in the Tomb - reader Jesus lays down, covered with a white cloth. The wonderful radiance of this life that once shone is no more. He had made God so real, and brought such joy and hope into the hearts of the hopeless. But it has all led to the cross. He is dead now and buried. He has gone down into the world of death? What now? SCRIPTURE - reader (Luke 23:50-53) Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed with their plan and action. He came from the jewish town of Arimathea and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had been laid.

When Joseph buries Jesus in a simply way he offers him respect. Since his arrest this respect was denied to Jesus. In a gentle act, Joseph not only restored Jesus dignity but showed his own. Like Joseph, we too are called to be apostles for this generation. PRAYER priest Lord, may your Kingdom come, now and forever. Forgive us for destroying rather than building your Kingdom. QUIET MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Jesus Remember Me STATION 14 - The Empty Tomb - reader Jesus leaves with only the cloth remaining. With heavy hearts the women got to the tomb to minister to the body of their Lord. Their confusion and anguish at discovering his body missing turns to unreserved joy upon learning that Jesus words had indeed been fulfilled. SCRIPTURE - reader (Luke 24:1-8) On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee; The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again. Then they remembered his words. REFLECTION This station is not like the others. If something momentous had not happened, the path we have followed would have been a journey to nowhere, to end in defeat and the blackest despair. But, something did happen. In the simple words of our faith, we say: he is risen, he is not

here. Love has proved stronger than death, stronger than any death we know. The silence is now not the silence of death, but the silence of what no eye has seen, no ear heard, no human heart conceived, of what God has prepared for those who love him. PRAYER Lord, you are risen, you are alive. Lord we believe. RESPONSE BENEDICTION (Blessing with Blessed Sacrament) HYMN - Behold the Cross Gary Pinto wyd08 Receive the Power the Album songs of faith and love