Thus says the Lord GOD: Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; Tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins. They seek me day after day, and desire to know my ways, Like a nation that has done what is just and not abandoned the law of their God; They ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God. “”Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?””
Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits, and drive all your laborers. Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting, striking with wicked claw. Would that today you might fast so as to make your voice heard on high! Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance: That a man bow his head like a reed and lie in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!
Responsorial Psalm : Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19
R. (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
Verse Before the Gospel : See Am 5:14
Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and the Lord will be with you.
Gospel : Mt 9:14-15
The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
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The Season of lent is a time of spiritual reflection , introspection and renewal for Christians, as they prepare for the celebration Easter.
Lent season lasts for 40 days and leads to Easter . Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. Lent is a time of penance, reflection, and spiritual renewal for many Christians.
During Lent, Christians are called to observe a period of fasting, prayer, and repentance. This often involves giving up something, such as a favorite food or activity, as a form of self-denial and discipline. Some Christians may also choose to engage in acts of service or give to charity during this time.
The purpose of Lent is to prepare for the celebration of Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. By reflecting on our own sinfulness and need for forgiveness, we can better appreciate the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. Through repentance and spiritual renewal, we can grow closer to God and deepen our faith.
Lent is observed by many Christian denominations, including Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Methodists, among others. While the specifics of how Lent is observed may vary between different traditions, the overall focus on spiritual renewal and reflection remains the same.
Here are few reflections for the season of lent.
Focus on gratitude: Rather than just giving up something for Lent, consider taking on a daily gratitude practice. Each day, write down or think about something you are thankful for. This can help shift your perspective and cultivate a sense of gratitude and contentment.
Practice mindfulness: Lent is a time for self-examination, and mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Take a few minutes each day to sit quietly and observe your thoughts without judgment.
Connect with others: Lent can be a time for community and connection. Consider attending a church service, volunteering with a local charity, or reaching out to a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in a while.
Forgive others: Lent is also a time for forgiveness and letting go of grudges. Consider making amends with someone you’ve had a conflict with, or simply letting go of any resentment you may be holding onto.
Cultivate humility: Lent is a time for self-reflection and growth. Practice humility by acknowledging your flaws and mistakes, and seeking to learn and grow from them. Remember that the season of Lent is not just about giving something up, but also about making positive changes in your life and deepening your spiritual practice. By reflecting on your values, connecting with others, and cultivating a sense of gratitude and mindfulness, you can make the most of this meaningful time.
Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.
Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too.
Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person’s forehead, he speaks the words: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Alternatively, the priest may speak the words, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
Ashes also symbolize grief, in this case, grief that we have sinned and caused division from God.
Writings from the Second-century Church refer to the wearing of ashes as a sign of penance.
Priests administer ashes during Mass and all are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of penance. Even non-Christians and the excommunicated are welcome to receive the ashes. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year’s palm Sunday Mass.
It is important to remember that Ash Wednesday is a day of penitential prayer and fasting. Some faithful take the rest of the day off work and remain home. It is generally inappropriate to dine out, to shop, or to go about in public after receiving the ashes. Feasting is highly inappropriate. Small children, the elderly and sick are exempt from this observance.
It is not required that a person wear the ashes for the rest of the day, and they may be washed off after Mass. However, many people keep the ashes as a reminder until the evening.
Recently, movements have developed that involve pastors distributing ashes to passersby in public places. This isn’t considered taboo, but Catholics should know this practice is distinctly Protestant. Catholics should still receive ashes within the context of Mass.
In some cases, ashes may be delivxered by a priest or a family member to those who are sick or shut-in.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.
Why we receive the ashes
Following the example of the Ninevites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told
“Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return.”
Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.
The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins — just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days’ penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession.
The Ashes
The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.
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Daily mass readings : Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Reading 1 : Dt 30:15-20
Moses said to the people: “Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy. If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy. I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
Responsorial Psalm : Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
R. (40:5a) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night. R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. He is like a tree planted near running water, That yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. For the LORD watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Verse Before the Gospel : Mt 4:17
Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Gospel : Lk 9:22-25
Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”
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Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing, Offerings and libations for the LORD, your God.
Blow the trumpet in Zion! proclaim a fast, call an assembly; Gather the people, notify the congregation; Assemble the elders, gather the children and the infants at the breast; Let the bridegroom quit his room and the bride her chamber. Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep, And say, “Spare, O LORD, your people, and make not your heritage a reproach, with the nations ruling over them! Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?'”
Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people.
Responsorial Psalm : Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17
R. (see 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reading 2 : 2 Cor 5:20—6:2
Brothers and sisters: We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says:
In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.
Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Verse Before the Gospel : See Ps 95:8
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Gospel : Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
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Daily mass readings : Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 : Sir 2:1-11
My son, when you come to serve the LORD, stand in justice and fear, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, incline your ear and receive the word of understanding, undisturbed in time of adversity. Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not; thus will you be wise in all your ways. Accept whatever befalls you, when sorrowful, be steadfast, and in crushing misfortune be patient; For in fire gold and silver are tested, and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation. Trust God and God will help you; trust in him, and he will direct your way; keep his fear and grow old therein.
You who fear the LORD, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall. You who fear the LORD, trust him, and your reward will not be lost. You who fear the LORD, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy. You who fear the LORD, love him, and your hearts will be enlightened. Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his commandments and been forsaken? has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed? Compassionate and merciful is the LORD; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble and he is a protector to all who seek him in truth.
R. (see 5) Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you. Trust in the LORD and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. Take delight in the LORD, and he will grant you your heart’s requests. R. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you. The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted; their inheritance lasts forever. They are not put to shame in an evil time; in days of famine they have plenty. R. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you. Turn from evil and do good, that you may abide forever; For the LORD loves what is right, and forsakes not his faithful ones. R. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you. The salvation of the just is from the LORD; he is their refuge in time of distress. And the LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. R. Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you.
Alleluia : Gal 6:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia. May I never boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel : Mk 9:30-37
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
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Daily mass readings : Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 : Sir 1:1-10
All wisdom comes from the LORD and with him it remains forever, and is before all time The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days of eternity: who can number these? Heaven’s height, earth’s breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these? Before all things else wisdom was created; and prudent understanding, from eternity. The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom and her ways are everlasting. To whom has wisdom’s root been revealed? Who knows her subtleties? To whom has the discipline of wisdom been revealed? And who has understood the multiplicity of her ways? There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring, seated upon his throne: There is but one, Most High all-powerful creator-king and truly awe-inspiring one, seated upon his throne and he is the God of dominion. It is the LORD; he created her through the Holy Spirit, has seen her and taken note of her. He has poured her forth upon all his works, upon every living thing according to his bounty; he has lavished her upon his friends.
Responsorial Psalm : Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5
R.(1a) The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. The LORD is king, in splendor robed; robed is the LORD and girt about with strength. R.The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. And he has made the world firm, not to be moved. Your throne stands firm from of old; from everlasting you are, O LORD. R.The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed: holiness befits your house, O LORD, for length of days. R.The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
Alleluia : See 2 Tm 1:10
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel : Mk 9:14-29
As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him. He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.” He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.” They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!” Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”
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Daily mass readings : Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 : Lv 19:1-2, 17-18
The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.
“You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful. Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. R. The Lord is kind and merciful. He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion. R. The Lord is kind and merciful. Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes. R. The Lord is kind and merciful. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Reading 2 : 1 Cor 3:16-23
Brothers and sisters: Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.
Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool, so as to become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: God catches the wise in their own ruses, and again: The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you, Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.
Alleluia : 1 Jn 2:5
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Whoever keeps the word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel : Mt 5:38-48
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
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Daily mass readings : Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 : Heb 11:1-7
Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested. By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through the invisible. By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain’s. Through this, he was attested to be righteous, God bearing witness to his gifts, and through this, though dead, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was found no more because God had taken him. Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen, with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household. Through this, he condemned the world and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith.
Responsorial Psalm : Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 10-11
R. (see 1) I will praise your name for ever, Lord. Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord. Generation after generation praises your works and proclaims your might. They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty and tell of your wondrous works. R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord. Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you. Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might. R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Alleluia : Mk 9:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia. The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son. Listen to him. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel : Mk 9:2-13
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, the disciples no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant. Then they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He told them, “Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things, yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”
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The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ’s last day. Specific prayers are recited, then the individual moves to the next station until all 14 are complete.
The Stations of the Cross are commonly found in churches as a series of 14 small icons or images. They can also appear in church yards arranged along paths. The stations are most commonly prayed during Lent on Wednesdays and Fridays, and especially on Good Friday, the day of the year upon which the events actually occurred.
ACT
Visit a Catholic Church and walk around the Stations of the Cross artworks praying the Way of the Cross – you may wish to use the below prayers and reflections.
Opening Prayer
V. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. R. Amen.
Let us pray.
Father most holy, look upon the blood flowing from the Saviour’s pierced side; look upon the blood shed by the many victims of hatred, of war, of terrorism, and in your mercy, grant that the course of world events may unfold according to your will, in justice and in peace, and that your Church may devote herself with quiet confidence to your service and to the liberation of mankind. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
1st Station: Jesus is condemned to death
What was Jesus thinking about at this moment? What was he feeling? Was it pity? Pity for Pilate, who knew Jesus was innocent and wanted to free him, but was frightened of losing his position – ‘if you free this man you are no friend of Caesar’s, for he has made himself a king.’
So he backed down and tried to put the blame on his accusers; but he was the judge! But his job came before justice!
Was it pity for his accusers, who were willing to get a person condemned to death for the sake of greed and gain? Or was it pity for the high priests, who were willing to get a person crucified out of jealousy, jealousy of a man better than them; out of pride, for they wanted to be honoured and revered, but this man was exposing them for what they really were, ‘whited sepulchres’; out of fear, fear of losing their comfortable way of life!
ADORATION
V.We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Gospel according to Mark 15:14-15 But the crowd shouted all the more, “Crucify him”. So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas; and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
MEDITATION
It is easy to condemn such people, but am I as guilty as them? I am, if I have ever put position before justice, gain for the sake of greed; if ever I have been envious or proud or been afraid of being found out for what I really am? O Lord help me to learn from this station to conquer my pride, my greed and my jealousy, and try to live as you would have me live.
PRAYER
My Jesus, it was not Pilate, it was my sins that condemned You to die. I beg You, by the merits of this sorrowful journey, to assist my soul in its journey toward eternity. I love You, my beloved Jesus; I love You more than myself; I repent with my whole heart for having offended You. Never permit me to separate myself from You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death
Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
2nd Station : Jesus carries His cross
The high priests have got their way; evil seems to have overcome good. Satan thinks he has won, but it is all in God’s plan for the redemption of mankind!
But what were the thoughts of Jesus at this time? He was facing the instrument on which he was to die; he was fearful – ‘O God, let this chalice pass from me’; then he sees the names of all mankind on the cross and all the sins each one has committed and he knows he has to take them all upon himself so that mankind may be redeemed.
He is indeed fearful. But his love for us overcomes his fear and so he adds ‘not my will but thy will be done.’
ADORATION
V.We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Gospel according to Mark 15:20 After they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.
MEDITATION
My name is on that cross Lord and under my name are all the sins I have committed. How much heavier is your cross because of me’? O Lord, forgive me for the wrongs I have done and help me when temptation comes to think, ‘am I to add to that already long list of sins under my name? May your grace permit me to overcome all temptations.
PRAYER
My beloved Jesus, I embrace all the tribulations You have destined for me until death. I beg You, by the merits of the pain You suffered in carrying Your Cross, to give me the necessary help to carry mine with perfect patience and resignation. I love You, Jesus my love; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to separate myself from You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death
Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
3rd Station Jesus falls the first time
The crowd now have their way, they spit at Jesus, kick him and finally force him to the ground amidst jeers, laughs and insults – ‘he said he was a king, look at him now!’
Jesus looks up at the crowd who are beating him and sees they are the very people he has helped. Is there not one friendly face?
ADORATION
V.We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
MEDITATION
It is so easy to join the crowd against a person who is down; it’s so hard to stick up for such a person in case they turn on you as well!
But it is not the crowd, as such, that force him to the ground, no, it is all my sins! He is seeing them as I will see them in purgatory. The little sins that seem nothing to me, and then I will see them as he sees them now and they are enormous! He surely must be thinking, ‘how could you hurt me so, after all I have done for you?’
O Lord, by merits of this first fall help me to see how grotesque are even the smallest sins I have committed and grant me the grace not to sin again.
PRAYER
My beloved Jesus, it is not the weight of the Cross, but my sins, which have made You suffer so much pain. By the merits of this first fall, deliver me from the misfortune of falling into mortal sin. I love You, O my Jesus, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death
Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
4th Station : Jesus meet His Sorrowful Mother
As the soldiers drag Jesus to his feet his mother is there to help and comfort him. What did Jesus feel at this meeting? Love! Gratitude and perhaps, most of all, sorrow! Love for his mother, love which was so mutual; gratitude towards his mother, ‘at last a friendly face’.
Sorrow because he knows how much it hurts his mother seeing him in such a wretched state, ‘a worm and no man’.
But he knew she would be there, she always was when he needed her
ADORATION
V.We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Gospel according to Luke 2:34-35, 51 Simeon said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign of contradiction, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. And a sword will pierce through your own soul also”… His mother kept all these things in her heart.
MEDITATION
Of course Jesus knew she would be there for she was truly his mother, but Mary is also my mother and loves me more than I can possibly imagine! May this station ever remind me to call on Mary’s help whenever I am in need, whenever tempted to sin, whenever in sorrow, knowing that she is my mother.
PRAYER
My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow You experienced in this meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for Your most holy Mother. And you, my Queen, who were overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me by your intercession a continual remembrance of the Passion of your Son. I love You, Jesus, my love; I repent of ever having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
5th Station: Simon helps Jesus to carry the Cross
Jesus was so exhausted that the soldiers, afraid of being deprived of the ‘joy’ of crucifying the man from Nazareth, forced an African from Cyrene, to help Jesus carry his cross. He reluctantly did so; reluctantly, because he did not know Jesus; as far as he knew, he could have been a murderer, but God soon gave him the grace, by just one grateful look from Jesus, to know that he was a good man.
ADORATION
V.We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Gospel according to Mark 15:21-22 They compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his Cross. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha, which means the place of the skull.
MEDITATION
How many times have I been reluctant to help someone in need’? ‘sorry, I’ve got too much to do, I’ve no time now!’ How many times have I refused to help someone in need? What can I do about it?
How many times have I walked away from someone needing help’? ‘I just can’t be bothered, it’s too much trouble, I just don’t want to get involved!
Each time I have done such, I have refused to help Jesus for ‘whatever you do, or don’t do, to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me’.
O Lord whenever I see someone in need of help, let this station give me the grace to do all I can to help them, however reluctant I may feel.
PRAYER
My beloved Jesus, I will not refuse the Cross, as the Cyrenian did; I accept it, I embrace it. I accept in particular the death You have destined for me; with all the pains that may accompany it; I unite it to Your death, I offer it to You. You have died for love of me; I will die for love of You, and to please You. Help me by Your grace. I love You, Jesus my love; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love you always; and then do with me what You will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
6th Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Veronica was one of the women of Jerusalem who did their best to help the condemned. She was also a follower of Jesus and knew that he had done only good in his life, so she wanted to help him. But she saw the jeering crowd, the gruesome soldiers, the leering priests.
She hesitated; what would they do to her if she did help him? She was afraid, but overcoming her fear she took her headscarf off and gently wiped the face of Jesus, and was immediately rewarded with an imprint of his sacred face on her headscarf.
ADORATION
V.We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 53:2-3 He had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
MEDITATION
How many times have I been afraid of doing something good but have not done so out of fear? Fear of being laughed at, fear of being ridiculed, fear of what they will think of me.
O Lord, help me, by this station, to overcome my fear whenever I wish to do or say that which is good.
PRAYER
My beloved Jesus, Your face was beautiful before, but in this journey it has lost all its beauty, and wounds and blood have disfigured it. My soul also was once beautiful, when it received Your grace in Baptism; but I have disfigured it since by my sins; You alone, my Redeemer, can restore it to its former beauty. Do this by Your Passion. O Jesus, I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love you always; and then do with me what You will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death
Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
7th Station : Jesus falls the second time
This time Jesus falls out of sheer exhaustion; every bone in his body cries out ‘enough’, ‘I can’t go on!’ But Jesus knows he must carry on, he knows our lives, our eternal lives, depend on it so he drags himself to his feet and drags himself painfully on.
How many times have you thought ‘enough, I give up’, when things have got too much for you? Sometimes it’s the children, they just give you no rest, sometimes it’s your partner who is getting to much for you; sometimes it’s illness, and you feel you cannot take any more; sometimes it’s work or school and you feel you just cannot carry on! Perhaps even in prayer when you think God is not listening.
ADORATION
V.We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Book of Lamentations 3:1-2, 9, 16 I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light… He has blocked my ways with hewn stones he has made my paths crooked… He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cower in ashes.
MEDITATION
O Jesus there are many times when I have felt that I have had enough and perhaps there will be many more times I will feel this way. May I be granted the grace to think of this station when this happens, so that I will carry on for your sake as you carried on for my sake.
PRAYER
My most gentle Jesus, how many times You have pardoned me, and how many times have I fallen again, and begun again to offend You! By the merits of this new fall, give me the necessary help to persevere in Your grace until death. Grant that in all temptations which assault me I may always commend myself to You. I love You, Jesus my love, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me what You will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
8th Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
The good women of Jerusalem weep when they see Jesus, but he turns to them and says, ‘it is not for me that you should weep. You should weep for yourselves and your children, for if it goes so hard with the tree that is still green, what will become of the tree that is already dried up?’
Jesus is prepared to die for mankind so that sins may be forgiven. ‘may be’ not ‘will be’, for he sees so many of his children rejecting him in spite of what he has done for them. He sees Satan still rejoicing because of the souls turning to him out of the lust, the greed, and the pride of their hearts. It is no wonder that Jesus says weep for yourselves and your children!
Perhaps this is a lesson for all who have charge of people in one capacity or another, for parents, for priests, teachers, doctors, nurses and all who work so hard for others and in return, get not gratitude, but rather rejection.
ADORATION
V.We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Gospel according to Luke 23:28-31 But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold the days are coming when they will say, blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never gave suck. Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
MEDITATION
O Lord, even though you knew so many would continue to reject your graces, yet you still carried on to the end; grant me the grace to carry on, like you, to the end even though my labour may seem to be in vain.
PRAYER
My Jesus, laden with sorrows, I weep for the offenses I have committed against You, because of the pains they have deserved, and still more because of the displeasure they have caused You, Who have loved me so much. It is Your love, more than the fear of hell, which causes me to weep for my sins. My Jesus, I love You more than myself; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love you always; and then do with me what You will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death
Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
9th Station : Jesus falls the third time
Jesus has arrived at his place of execution. His journey is over and he sinks completely exhausted to the ground. Surely he has done enough! He has been scourged, crowned with thorns, kicked, punched, spat upon and has carried his own death bed to Calvary.
Surely he has done more than enough to pay for our sins! But Jesus knows the gross enormity of sin and knows that the ultimate price of crucifixion and death alone can pay for them.
ADORATION
V.We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Book of Lamentations 3:27-32 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. Let him sit alone in silence when he has laid it on him; let him put his mouth in the dust, there may yet be hope; let him give his cheek to the smiter and be filled with insults. For the Lord will not cast off for ever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
MEDITATION
My Jesus, is my soul worth so much?
It is worth it to me, you say, for you are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for my soul! O Jesus make me understand what a grotesque evil sin is! Whenever temptations come may this station remind me what my sins have cost you, then give me the grace to say to you, ‘is my soul worth it?’ And let me hear your answer, ‘it is worth it to me’!
PRAYER
My outraged Jesus, by the merits of the weakness You suffered in going to Calvary, give me strength sufficient to conquer all human respect, and all my wicked passions, which have led me to despise Your friendship. I love You, Jesus my love, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love you always; and then do with me what You will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death
Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
10th Station : Jesus is stripped of his garments
The ultimate humiliation! Jesus has been ridiculed beyond measure! He is blind-folded – ‘tell us who struck you, O great prophet, tell us who is tugging at your royal beard?’ ‘He’s a king, so he must have a crown’. A crown of thorns! He is paraded through the streets like a common criminal and he says not a word, he is led like a lamb to the slaughter and now this!
We may ask why so much humiliation, and your answer will be, ‘why so much pride?’ Pride was the crime of the archangel Lucifer; he wanted to be God’s equal, and in the moment he committed this sin he became a hideous demon and was thrown to hell. Pride was the crime of Adam and Eve, ‘if you eat this fruit you will be as great as God himself’.
And they and all mankind lost paradise.
Pride is the source and origin of all the sins that are committed. It is simply an inordinate, excessive love of oneself that makes a person think he is better than anyone else; they are dependant on no one, not even God!
ADORATION
V. We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Gospel according to Mark 15:24 The soldiers divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take.
MEDITATION
O Lord, you suffered humiliation to such degree in order to pay for the sins of pride. May this station remind me of this whenever I find myself committing such a terrible sin, then grant me the grace of true humility.
PRAYER
My innocent Jesus, by the merits of the torment You have felt, help me to strip myself of all affection to things of earth, in order that I may place all my love in You, who are so worthy of my love. I love You, O Jesus, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love you always; and then do with me what You will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
11th Station: Jesus is nailed to the Cross
Jesus is flung on to the cross, the moment of truth has arrived, the first nail is pressed into his flesh and then, with one foul stroke, it passes through his wrist into the wood. The pain is so intense that many, mercifully, faint; but not Jesus, he has to endure it all.
The second nail is pressed into his flesh, this time he knows what is to come and he braces himself, the pain seems even worse! But it must be so – ‘they pierced my hands and feet; they have numbered all my bones’.
ADORATION
V.We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Gospel according to Mark 15:25-27 And it was the third hour, when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read: “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two robbers one on his right and one on his left.
MEDITATION
O Jesus, what can I say but sorry! Sorry I have caused you so much pain. I did not know how much you loved me, I am sure that, if I did, I would never have offended you! Yet how many times have I offended others that love me? When in anger I have said and done so many hurtful things, things, which later on, I have regretted!
O Jesus, by this station, grant me the grace never to offend you again and even when angry, to think, before I say or do anything which I know will hurt others who love me!
PRAYER
My Jesus! loaded with contempt, nail my heart to Your feet, that it may ever remain there, to love You, and never leave You again. I love You more than myself; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love you always; and then do with me what You will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
12th Station: Jesus is raised upon the Cross and dies
Jesus is finally crucified; he hangs between heaven and earth the mediator between God and man. As he hangs there he finds he cannot breathe because, hanging from his arms, his lungs are crushed together, he pushes down on his feet to raise himself up so as to release his lungs but this just ties his muscles up in cramp which he can endure for a few minutes only, then down again to hang by his arms, to gasp for breath. This agony goes on for three hours! Yet in spite of such pain, he still thinks of others – to the repentant thief, ‘this day you will be with me in paradise’.
He sees his mother, his mother who is so bravely standing there to comfort him, and he sees John. Tears streaming down his face, Jesus comforts them both ‘mother, behold your son, son behold your mother’. He even prays for his executioners – ‘God forgive them for they know not what they do’.
ADORATION
V.We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Gospel according to Mark 15:33-34, 37, 39 And when the sixth hour had come there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice: “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”, which means: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.
When the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that he thus breathed his last, he said: “Truly this man was the Son of God”.
MEDITATION
O Jesus grant me the grace to be considerate and kind when I am suffering in any way or just feeling wretched and miserable, help me always to think of other people rather than myself.
PRAYER
O my dying Jesus, I kiss devoutly the Cross on which You died for love of me. I have merited by my sins to die a miserable death; but Your death is my hope. By the merits of Your death, give me grace to die, embracing Your feet, and burning with love for You. I yield my soul into Your hands. I love You with my whole heart; I repent of having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love you always; and then do with me what You will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
13th Station : Jesus is taken down from the Cross
Joseph, with Pilate’s consent, claimed the body of Jesus. The custom of breaking the legs of those crucified had been carried out on the two crucified with Jesus but when they found him already dead one of the soldiers thrust a spear into his side, and immediately blood and water poured from his sacred body. As Mary looked with horror at this final desecration she remembered the words of Simeon, ‘and the sword will pierce your soul also’. Then the dead, pierced, blood-spattered body of Jesus is taken down from the cross and Joseph lays him in his mothers arms. She thinks of the times she held him in her arms as a baby.
At last she allows tears to stream down her face; her only consolation, his suffering is over! She looks at the crowd, they are now subdued. At the end of the day the earth was darkened and they began to realise that they had done something terribly wrong! Even one of the soldiers exclaimed ‘truly you are the son of God’.
As his mother looked down at the battered body who would have blamed Mary if she had wished vengeance on those who had done this to her son! If she had thought, ‘they could have done it to me and I could have forgiven them but to my son, my son who had done only good!’ No, we would not have blamed her if she had felt this way, but, just as her son had said, ‘God forgive them for they know not what they do’, so Mary, his mother, being in complete union with her son, repeated his words. She was his mother and he had made us her children!
ADORATION
V.We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Gospel according to Mark 15:42-43, 46 And when evening had come, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, bought a linen shroud, and took the body of Jesus down from the Cross.
MEDITATION
O Lord, there have been times when I have found it hard to forgive the things that have been done and said to me and still harder to forgive those who have hurt those I love. Grant me the grace by this station not only to forgive, but like Mary, to do good and help and even love those who have offended me or my loved ones.
PRAYER
O mother of sorrow, for the love of this Son, accept me for your servant, and pray to Him for me. And You, my Redeemer, since You have died for me, permit me to love You; for I wish only You, and nothing more. I love You, my Jesus, and I repent of ever having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love you always; and then do with me what You will.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
14th Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb
The shrouded dead body of Jesus is carried to the tomb of Joseph accompanied by Mary, his mother and John, the disciple Jesus loved. The holy women of Jerusalem followed. It seemed as if the sorrows of the whole world came together in that procession. The body of Jesus was finally laid in the tomb and the great rock was rolled in front.
How many of them thought, why? Why did God permit this? They just could not understand how a loving God could allow such a thing to happen! With these sorrowful thoughts in their minds they went slowly back home. They would never have understood why Jesus had not risen from the dead and told them that the Christ should suffer and die in order to pay for the sins of mankind. So from one man‘s suffering, death and resurrection came the salvation of the whole of mankind.
ADORATION
V.We Adore You Oh Christ and We Bless You R. Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World
SCRIPTURE
From the Gospel according to Mark 15:46-47 Joseph of Arimathea, wrapped the body of Jesus in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
MEDITATION
O Lord, there have been many times when I have asked why. Many times when I have thought, ‘if God loves us, why has he allowed this to happen? And even, ‘if there is a God he would not have let this happen!’
O God, grant me the grace by the merits of this station to know that you do exist and that you do love me, and to know that all that happens is for a reason, a reason which is good, a reason which I will understand in good time, meanwhile grant me the grace to say what you said in your agony, ‘not my will but thy will be done‘.
PRAYER
Oh, my buried Jesus, I kiss the stone that encloses You. But You rose again the third day. I beg You, by Your resurrection, make me rise glorious with You at the last day, to be always united with You in heaven, to praise You and love You forever. I love You, and I repent of ever having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love you always; and then do with me what You will.
For I know you have returned to your father in heaven where you have gone to prepare a place for me and my loved ones, so that where you are, we also may be.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…
Dying you destroyed our death Rising you restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
Closing Prayers
ACCLAMATION
OLord Jesus, our resurrection, in the new tomb you destroy death and grant life. R. Kyrie, eleison
Lord Jesus, our hope, your body, crucified and risen, is the new Tree of Life.
R. Kyrie, eleison
FINAL PRAYER
Behold, O kind and most sweet Jesus, I cast myself on my knees in Your sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul, I pray and beg You to impress upon my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, with true repentance for my sins, and a firm desire of amendment, while with deep affection and grief of soul I contemplate Your five most precious Wounds, having before my eyes that which David spoke in prophecy: “They pierced My hands and My feet; they have numbered all My bones.”
V. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. R. Amen.
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