Denis McBride C.Ss.R. “I think this book is a brilliant exercise to deepen our faith not only during the period of Lent, but any time of the year. The suffering that happened 2000 years ago is still happening in the modern world and Fr Denis McBride is inviting us to reflect about the pain people are going through now. The book touches human hearts very deeply.” Fr Sunith, St Anthony of Padua Parish, Anerley, London The first station

Scripture

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he realised 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 Barabbas for them instead. Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Mark 15:1-15

6

7

Stations of the Cross then and now Denis McBride C.Ss.R.

NEW

In Catholic churches across the world, from the busiest cities to the most remote villages, a series of simple crosses or fourteen images - the Stations of the Cross - describe the passion and death of Jesus. They begin with Pontius Pilate condemning Jesus to death and steadily move towards the moment when his mother and a few faithful followers place Jesus’ body in a borrowed tomb. Sometimes there is a fifteenth station: the resurrection shows us that Jesus’ suffering fulfilled a purpose. Even on the cross, Jesus was not alone. Yet the way of the cross is not confined to a lonely road in Jerusalem two thousand years ago: it is a busy highway winding through every village, town and city in our modern world; the experience of millions of people who face personal agony and loss at some moment or other. Jesus’ suffering and death are, for each one of us, our reality today.

Denis McBride reflectively guides us along the way of the cross. He contrasts the beauty and solemn simplicity of the more traditional Stations by artist Curd Lessig with modern images that challenge us to link Jesus’ story to the struggle of our everyday lives. Through its rich array of scripture passages, paintings, poetry, prayers, photographs and reflections, Stations of the Cross – then and now becomes a companion not only on our Lenten journey but throughout the year: suffering is not limited to one liturgical season. Whether we walk in solitude or with others, this book translates the passion of Jesus into our own life and times. The Gospel best comes alive when the story of Jesus resonates deeply within our heart and our personal experience. Let Stations of the Cross – then and now shine new light on your own journey. Code: 1735 Price: £12.95 ISBN: 9780852314722

2 01420 88222

sales@rpbooks.co.uk

www.rpbooks.co.uk

01420 88805