The Way of the Cross St Mary’s Garforth Introduction: This booklet provides short Bible readings, reflections and prayer for each of 13 stations on The Way of the Cross. As we accompany Jesus on his journey to Calvary, let us take a moment to remember the context. Jesus carried his cross through the narrow crowded streets of Jerusalem. It was Passover time and so the city was full of people, many of whom mocked, jostled and took pleasure in watching as Jesus struggled with his heavy burden. The way was often steep. The journey that Jesus made on that day remains a poignant symbol of the life of faith for Christians throughout the world, as we struggle with our own crosses - challenges, disappointments and failures. The streets of our towns are filled with people who carry their personal crosses, who are bruised, battered and broken. Through this Way of the Cross, Jesus is inviting us to journey with him and to reflect on his suffering as it continues in the lives of his people. In solidarity with all who suffer, let us pray that we will be open to whatever he wants us to see, hear and understand. 2 1: Jesus in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane Mark 14:32-36 32 They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ 33 He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. 34 And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ 35 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ Jesus knew what was to come. He did not run. He did not hide. He went and sat in the Garden, and came to his Father in prayer. Yes, he cried out. He had his moment of weakness, but he stood firm. He knew what needed to be done and he submitted to it. We adore you O Christ, and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world Jesus asks one thing of his friends ‘keep awake’. Even that one thing they cannot do. Their eyes fail them and they fall asleep. They leave their friend to grieve alone. Jesus wants his space to be with the Father but he needs to know his friends are there, supporting from a distance. And they fail him. Like the disciples, we often fail to stay awake to the needs of others and to the call of our Saviour. We submit to our own tiredness and our complacency. We hold out the hand of love, then withdraw it all too swiftly. Sometimes we just need to sit and stay awake with someone. Just to be Christ to them. 3 Let us pray Jesus give us the strength to see things through. Open our eyes to the agony of others and guide us to reach out in love. Help us to be a faithful presence, in times of need. Let us not fall asleep on the job, but to be wide awake to your prompting and open to suffering that may be hidden deep within those around us. Jesus, Christ crucified hear our prayer 2. Jesus betrayed by Judas and arrested Mark 14:43-46 43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ 45 So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. 46 Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. Betrayed by a kiss. What greater deception could there be? The cloak of friendship hiding the betrayal. What must have been in Jesus’ eyes as he looked upon his old friend. Did Judas see the knowing sadness behind them? And was there shame in the betrayer's own? We adore you O Christ, and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world 4 Imagine the peace of the Garden shattered by the angry mob, who came armed with swords and clubs to arrest one man - a man ready and willing to go with them, despite knowing the horrors ahead. He came with nothing but peace, justice and love on his heart and was met with anger, hatred and violence. Think of the lone voices of our time, those who calmly and sacrificially speak out for justice, who are so often met with criticism and harsh judgement. Let us pray Jesus, let us hear the voices of peace in our world. Let us be open to those who call us on our actions. Let us not betray your example and keep us true. Remove from our hearts all vestiges of duplicity. Jesus, Christ crucified hear our prayer 5 3. Jesus condemned by the Sanhedrin Mark 14:55-64 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. 56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58 ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.”’ 59 But even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ 61 But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ 62 Jesus said, ‘I am; and “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power”, and “coming with the clouds of heaven.”’ 63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?’ All of them condemned him as deserving death. Behind the scenes, they had prepared their case. It mattered not that it was fabricated, that the witnesses gave false testimony. Truth was not their concern. This man, Jesus, he had power and it frightened them. It threatened their very way of life, the structure and order of their society. And then, then...he invoked the name of Almighty God “I am”. That was it. Case made. We adore you O Christ, and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world 6 So pleased with themselves, the Sanhedrin failed to notice God in their midst. Believing they had won, they had no idea the power that their actions would ultimately unleash. The power of salvation. Their own self-importance blinded them to the error of their ways. They could not conceive that God might do something different from what they expected. How often do we seek to make God fit with our own perception of him? How often do we fail to notice when he is doing a new thing? God so often challenges our assumptions that frame our beliefs and our practices. Deaf to his prompting, we go on with our own routines, certain that we are doing it the ‘right’ way. But even our worst efforts will not stand in his way. He will not be contained. His glory will be seen and every knee shall bow. Let us pray Forgive us, Lord, when we create an image of you that denies your power and authority, when we are so focused on our practices and traditions that we fail to see you at work. When we come to you in prayer, let it be with open hearts and minds ready to be challenged and ready to follow your ways and not our own. Jesus, Christ crucified hear our prayer 7 4: Peter denies Jesus Mark 14:72 72 At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept. The cock crowed for the second time and a spear, of his own fashioning, pierced Peter’s heart. He tried to keep his eyes down, but he could not miss the look that passed from Jesus to him. A look filled with the pain of repeated abandonment, and yet...yet still compassion and a deep, deep love. We adore you O Christ, and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world He gave in to weakness—Peter, ‘the rock’. Not a great foundation for the church of Christ it seems. But therein lies its’ encouragement, because we all stumble. We all fall. All around us there are people who cannot meet their own aspirations; people burdened by the weight of expectation; people worn down by failure and despair. Jesus looks upon us with compassion and love, no matter how many times we fail him. Let us pray Lord, we pray that when our strength fails, when our hope fades and our spirit grows weary that we will put our unbounded trust in you.