Stations of the Cross Reflections for Holy Week 2020 on the Stations of the Cross by Rev. Canon Brenda Harding The word ‘station’ means a stopping place c.f. the train station, and this set of stations are the traditional stopping places of the route Jesus took between the judgement seat of Pilate and Golgotha, the place of the skull, the traditional site of the Crucifixion. This route is still followed today in Jerusalem but for those who want to be pilgrims but cannot travel there, this route is still maintained in our churches today. 2020 is unusual in that this year the route has to be a digital or paper trail, but it is no less resonant for that. Blessings on all who seek to follow it this Holy Week. These words are said before each station: V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you R . Because, by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world 1 Jesus is condemned to death The verdict of Pontius Pilate was not given enthusiastically. He would have done anything in his power to release Jesus but was afraid of the crowd, and of his masters in Rome, who would not take kindly to an insurrection. He was not essentially an evil man but weak and powerless despite his apparent authority. He was attracted to Jesus but found him difficult to understand and Jesus did nothing to aid his understanding. Sometimes God calls us to rely on our own innate perceptions of right and wrong and Pilate was unable to do this. He even failed to listen to the wise words of his wife who had more insight than he had. So he condemned Jesus to death. Prayer Father, help us to listen to the cry of goodness in our hearts and to follow its call. We pray especially today for our own country and its leaders at this time of trouble that they may make wise decisions. Amen 2 Jesus accepts the Cross The willingness of Jesus to accept his Cross has to be seen in the context of the Garden of Gethsemane where he prayed earnestly that this cup of sorrow should be taken from him. It was when he realised that this was not to be, that he embraced the Cross as the Father’s will for him. This was to complete God’s loving purpose for the salvation of the world, the plan that he had foreordained from all eternity. Jesus found the strength to see beyond his immediate predicament to identify with his heavenly Father’s wider purpose. Jesus, therefore, embraced the Cross, which was to become, eventually, the symbol, not of death, but of hope. Prayer Faithful Cross, above all other, one and only noble tree. None in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit thy peer may be, Sweetest wood and sweetest iron, Sweetest weight is hung on thee. Venantius Fortunatus trans. 3 Jesus falls for the first time It is likely that Jesus carried only the crossbeam of the Cross but even so its weight would have been considerable. And he was in no state to undertake the task after the physical abuse he had suffered, together with his spiritual agony. To fall is often equated with to fail but Jesus is here identifying with all those who, through no fault of their own, have to carry heavy burdens for themselves or for others, particularly for those they love. We have so many experiences in our own day to draw upon—those who suffered and died in the Concentration camps, those called upon to renounce their own comfort and security to aid asylum seekers and refugees, most recently those who have given themselves to caring for others during the virus crisis. They follow in the stumbling steps of their divine Master and when they fall, He is with them. Prayer God our Father, your Son said that not even a sparrow fell to the earth without your knowledge and care, look in mercy on all those who suffer on behalf of others and uphold them. Amen 4 Jesus meets his mother Nothing in human relationships is perhaps as special as the love of a mother for her children. Mary stands for all Mothers who suffer when their children suffer and are powerless to help them. Yet Mary did help just by being there, remaining faithful when most others fled. Her presence was a sign to Jesus of her love and support, but it was also the fulfilling of her own vocation that, as Simeon said, a sword would pierce her own soul too. The emblem of Blackburn Cathedral is the heart pierced by the sword, Mary’s heart, our Mother’s heart, for she loves us too, just as she loves her Son. Prayer Loving God, we thank you for our own Mothers and the sacrifices they make for us, help us to embrace Mary’s words of obedience, ‘be it unto me according to your word’, and her instruction about her Son that we should ‘do whatever he tells you’. Amen 5 Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross We don’t know much about Simon though some people think he later became a disciple because we are told the names of some of his family. At this point in the story, he is coming in from the country, we do not know why - to shop? worship at the Temple during the festival? see his friends? He certainly did not expect to be press-ganged into carrying the cross of a condemned criminal whom he did not even know. But Jesus must have been so grateful to have someone to share the load. We have the wonderful invitation of Jesus—Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest. He who offers this to us was pleased to receive the help of another to bear his burdens. Prayer God of compassion, hear our prayer for all those who bear heavy burdens and for those who help them. Amen 6 Veronica wipes the face of Jesus This is the one episode on the journey which does not have Biblical evidence to support it but the tradition of the woman in the crowd, who steps out to wipe the face of Jesus, is very ancient. Her name, Veronica, means ‘true image’ and is not her actual name. It was given to her afterwards because the tradition is that the cloth she held out was later seen to have the face of Jesus imprinted on it. We do not know who she is or anything about her except that she showed compassion on an equally unknown and nameless prisoner on his way to execution. We are called to find the face of Jesus imprinted on every one of our human brothers and sisters and indeed on the whole of creation. Too often, we look for him only in holy bools and places rather than in everything he has created. Prayer Lord Jesus, we do not know what your human face looked like. Help us to find your eternal face in all those we meet today. Amen 7 Jesus falls for the second time The way is becoming increasingly difficult. Even with Simon’s help, Jesus is finding it hard to navigate. There are times in our lives when we find the going very daunting and fear we cannot go on. It is at times like these that we need to be able to shed our burdens on one who is more able than we are to carry them and to trust that he does not judge but understands from the depth of his human experience. ‘Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and gentle of heart and you will find rest for your souls’. Prayer Lord, help us to lay down our burdens at your feet and in your strength to help others to carry theirs. Amen 8 Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem One of the most beautiful churches in the Holy City is the church of Dominus Flevit (The Lord wept). Set on the Mount of Olives and shaped like a teardrop, its East window looks out over the city over which Jesus wept. Set in the marble floor is a beautiful mosaic of the hen gathering her chicks under her wings. Jesus looked with compassion on the women who had come to mourn his death, but he tells them not to weep for him but for themselves and their children. In these days, when many are mourning the loss of loved ones, parents and children, partners and grandparents, let us take his words to heart and mourn for all the wrongs which have marred the beauty of life. Let us look with his eyes of compassion on all who mourn. Prayer God of love, you want to draw us under your wings like a hen gathers her chicks, be Mother and Father to us in these days and uphold us with the power of your love. Amen 9 Jesus falls for the third time The third fall marks the point at which Jesus can go no further. The soldiers have to haul him to the place of crucifixion. They recognise that he can do no more. As his legs buckle under him, he reaches the lowest point in this long last journey. Those faithful ones, his Mother, John, and Mary Magdalene must have utterly despaired as they realise that whatever was to come, there was now no escape for their beloved Son and Master.