Opening Prayer - Heavenly Father: As we find ourselves in the midst of this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, may these reflections on the Stations of the Cross help us and our families feel Christ's presence with us. May each station that we pray today help us in the midst of this challenging reality, a new reality that has changed so many things in our lives. As we journey with Christ during these stations of the cross, may we reflect upon our Lenten journey during the pandemic.
The First Station – Jesus is Condemned to Die
As Jesus receives his death sentence, he is passive, silent, and willing to embrace the inevitable suffering that awaits him. In receiving this death sentence, Jesus embraces the Father and takes his first steps towards redeeming humanity.
In the midst of this pandemic, Jesus stands with all who suffer. We remember especially patients who must endure their illnesses and rely on the care of others. May these patients actively turn to Christ in the midst of their suffering.
Let us pray for all patients ill with COVID-19.
The Second Station – Jesus Carries His Cross
As a beam of wood weighing over 100 pounds is placed on his shoulders, Jesus is utterly alone and left to carry his cross by himself. No one is there to ease the burden, to help lighten the load. What loneliness Christ must have endured, as he began his climb up Golgotha.
Let us remember that Jesus stands with all who carry their burdens alone. Let us remember individuals who have lost their jobs and who shoulder financial burdens. Let us remember the elderly who can no longer receive visitors. As they carry these crosses in isolation, may they turn to Christ, who also shouldered his cross alone.
We pray for the lonely, the elderly, and those with financial struggles.
The Third Station – Jesus Falls for the First Time
The weight of the cross is too much for Jesus. He collapses onto the ground, inhaling the sand and dust of Golgotha, coughing and struggling to breathe. He is motionless and trapped by the cross’ physical weight. It seems impossible for him to continue. He doesn’t even have the strength to stand.
When Jesus collapses onto the ground, he reminds us that he stands with all who collapse under the weight of pain and suffering. We remember especially those whose lungs have collapsed as a result of this virus or complications from it. May Jesus be present to all whose bodies are crumbling under the weight of the virus.
We pray for those experiencing any type of breathing problems.
The Fourth Station – Jesus Meets His Mother
Perhaps it is the familiar face of his mother that gives Jesus the courage to stand again. Maybe he remembers a moment when he fell as a child when a glance from his mother encouraged him to get up. Although Mary cannot carry the cross for him, Christ is strengthened by her love and compassion.
Just as Mary’s love embraced Christ, we remember all parents whose love surrounds their children, especially children who are ill. We pray especially for parents helping their children in this time of social distancing and isolation. May their parent’s love bring comfort to children and may our Blessed Mother intercede for their intentions.
We pray for parents whose love and good works strengthen their children.
The Fifth Station – Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross
Simon of Cyrene is not a friend or acquaintance of Jesus. He is not a family member or disciple. Simon is a passerby drawn to help Jesus because of circumstances. Since Jesus is no longer able to carry his cross alone, Simon is asked to help him because he is nearby.
Many follow in the footsteps of Simon of Cyrene during the pandemic. We remember in particular all doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers, who like Simon are asked to help carry the heavy crosses of patients, who are neither their friends nor family. This often results in their need to distance themselves from their own families.
We pray for all doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers.
The Sixth Station – Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
As Jesus continues his climb up Golgotha, his vision is obscured from the sweat and blood dripping from the crown of thorns. His hands are occupied with the weight of the cross, so he is unable to wipe the sweat from his brow. Veronica wipes the sweat away and does what Jesus cannot do alone.
In the midst of this pandemic, we give thanks for all essential workers and those working tirelessly to create a vaccine, and others, who follow in the footsteps of Veronica, and keep us going because of their selfless actions. We pray for each of them and ask that they might see the face of Christ in those they serve.
We pray for all essential workers and ask that God grants wisdom to those working on a vaccine.
The Seventh Station – Jesus Falls A Second Time
Despite the help of Simon of Cyrene, Jesus falls a second time. His weakened body and the constant weight of the cross are too much for him. He collapses once more onto the ground of Golgotha, not knowing if or when he will be able to stand.
As we move through this unprecedented pandemic, we hear stories of relapses, stories of patients getting better, only to have their bodies collapse once more. We remember that Jesus is present to all whose bodies collapse again and fall for a second time under the weight of illness, pain, or suffering.
We pray for those who have had to return to the hospital due to COVID-19.
The Eighth Station – Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Perhaps the familiar faces of the women of Jerusalem give Jesus the strength to stand after falling a second time. They are there to support him, encourage him, and pray for him, even though they cannot help bear the cross’ physical weight.
In this time of social distancing and self-isolation, we pray in gratitude for the communities, near and far, who support us, pray for us, and encourage us. Like the women of Jerusalem, these communities sustain us as we continue to bear the weight of this pandemic.
We pray in gratitude for the support of our communities.
The Ninth Station – Jesus Falls for the Third Time
Jesus’ long and painful journey continues. Near the top of Golgotha, Jesus falls for the third time. His body is crumbling under the weight of suffering. Hands pressed to the ground as though in prayer, Jesus pauses for a moment, perhaps embracing the reality that awaits.
Jesus reminds us that he knows the experience of walking in fear and uncertainty. He knows the terror, the questions, and the fright that accompanies such a journey. We remember those who are fearful and in pain during the pandemic, and those who like Jesus will not recover from a third fall. May Jesus be especially present to each of them as they seek to continue on.
We pray for all who are struggling with fear and uncertainty.
The Tenth Station – Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
The stripping of his garments is the final act of humiliation for Jesus. As Roman authorities strip Jesus, they remove what is left of his dignity and personhood.
In this moment of profound vulnerability, Jesus stands with all the marginalized people experiencing this pandemic. We remember the homeless, who cannot self-isolate; prisoners, who cannot maintain social distance; and those who are without health insurance. We pray for policy makers, that their decisions will support the vulnerable, keep us safe, and inspire us to protect one another.
We pray for the poor, the homeless, prisoners, and all policy makers.
The Eleventh Station – Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Nails don’t hold Jesus to the cross; love does. It is his love for each of us, his desire to die for our sins, his yearning to grant us salvation that fasten him to the wooden cross. Nothing can separate us from his love.
In the midst of this pandemic, we pray for all who feel separated from Christ’s love and for those who doubt God’s presence. May God grant us the grace to view this pandemic through the lens of the cross. Trusting that even in the midst of death and darkness God’s love is still there.
We pray for those who feel separated from God.
The Twelfth Station – Jesus Dies on the Cross
With head bowed, Jesus breathes his last. It is finished. In this moment, we gaze upon the humility of our God, whose love will defeat death. The earth shakes and rocks are split, but the cross remains and the redemptive power of love takes root.
In this pandemic, we remember all who have died, particularly those who have died alone, and those who have died with no one to pray for them. We remember that Jesus died on the cross so that we do not have to face death alone. He is present and his redemptive love accompanies us home.
We pray for the souls of all who have died in this pandemic.
The Thirteenth Station – Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
The hands that remove Jesus’ body do not belong to a close friend or family member. They belong to Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple who asked Pilate if he might take Jesus’ body off the cross. Like with Simon of Cyrene, Joseph is outside of Jesus’ intimate circle, but there to offer him mercy at the time of his death.
We remember again the compassion of all nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers who accompany patients as they die in the pandemic. Although not part of their intimate circle, they are there to offer mercy. We give thanks for all morgue workers, funeral homes, and all who labor to care for the dead.
We pray for those who bring dignity to those who have died.
The Fourteenth Station – Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
Together, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, give Christ a dignified burial. With myrrh and aloe, they clean his body. They place his body in the garden tomb as darkness approaches. Being observant Jews, Joseph and Nicodemus head back to their communities for the Sabbath.
2,000 years later, we remember the courage of Jospeh and Nicodemus when the other disciples had scattered. These two secret disciples found strength in one another to publicly bury our Lord. In this pandemic, we, too, find our strength and courage in each other. We pray together and accompany one another in the stillness of the garden tomb.
We pray now for each other and all the intentions we wish to place in the darkness of Christ’s tomb.
Closing Prayer: We pray these stations of the cross today in the midst of the pandemic. As we face this reality today, we bring this reality to our Lenten journey, we bring this reality into our prayers. As we close our prayers in the stations of the cross, we united our crosses with the cross that Christ bore.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
No comments:
Post a Comment