Jesus' Death Continues Today: A Catholic-ish Stations of the Cross Reflection Journal

JESUS' DEATH CONTINUES TODAY

A Catholic-ish Stations of the Cross Reflection Journal Compiled by Shawn Reilly

INTRODUCTION The following pages are filled with prompts for reflection, prayer, and action, paralleling the journey of Jesus to his death. Through meditation on the stations of the cross, we as Catholics can see some of the injustices of the death penalty today. Complete this in one sitting, over the course of a few days, or the course of a Lenten season. Regardless of how you engage with it, it is my hope that this journal helps you to clarify your own values, develop new insights, and push you towards action in regard to the death penalty.

STATION 1: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH Mt 27:22-23 Pilate said to them, 'But in that case, what am I to do with Jesus who is called Christ?' They all said, 'Let him be crucified!' He asked, 'But what harm has he done?' But they shouted all the louder, 'Let him be crucified!'

When Jesus is sentenced to death, it is done so with the support of a near-riotous crowd. Why did people support the death penalty for Jesus?

Why do people support the death penalty today?

STATION 2: JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS Jn 19: 15-17 But they shouted, 'Away with him, away with him, crucify him.' Pilate said, 'Shall I crucify your king?' The chief priests answered, 'We have no king except Caesar.' So at that Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. They then took charge of Jesus, and carrying his own cross he went out to the Place of the Skull or, as it is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.

Many of us carry our own cross, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual. What cross do you carry with you today? What crosses do you think those condemned to death may carry today, or may have carried prior to their sentencing? Did they choose those crosses?

STATION 3: JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME When Jesus falls the first time, no one offers to help him. He is forced back on his feet to continue his own torture.

When in your life have you watched someone struggle and have not offered help? What could you have done differently?

STATION 4: JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER Amidst crowds cheering on his death, Jesus meets his mother on the road to Calvary.

Many times when we contemplate the death penalty, we are concerned for the closure of the victim's family. Think now of the families of those on death row. What may they be experiencing when their loved one is condemned to death?

A PRAYER FOR JUSTICE

BY SISTER HELEN PREJEAN

You let your rain fall on the just and the unjust.

Expand and deepen our hearts so that we may love as You love, even those among us who have caused the greatest pain by taking life.

For there is in our land a great cry for vengeance as we fill up death row and kill the killers in the name of justice, in the name of peace.

Jesus, our brother, you suffered execution at the hands of the state but you did not let hatred overcome you Help us to reach out to victims of violence so that our enduring love may help them heal.

Holy Spirit of God, You strengthen us in the struggle for justice, Help us to work tirelessly for the abolition of state-sanctioned death and to renew our society in its very heart so that violence will be no more.

Amen.

A PRAYER FOR JUSTICE A TIME TO REFLECT

What is your prayer for justice?

STATION 5: SIMON HELPS JESUS CARRY THE CROSS Mk 15: 21 They enlisted a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, father of Alexander and Rufus, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross.

Simon was encouraged by the Romans to help them carry out Jesus' execution. When we condemn someone to death, we are condemning others to participate in state-sanctioned murder. What might some of the impacts of participating in the death penalty be for workers in correctional facilities?

STATION 6: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS In Catholic tradition, Veronica is understood to have given her head cloth to Jesus for him to wipe his face. When he pulled it away, his image was left on the cloth.

What image do you have of those on death row? What are the characteristics of death row inmates? Where did you learn this? What do those on death row have in common with Jesus?

STATION 7: JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME On his death march, Jesus falls a second time. Again, no one helps him.

In today's world, it can be easy to become desensitized to repeated injustices and oppressions of our fellow humans. Many times, we are numbed into inaction. What are some injustices that you have noticed but have not acted on? Why in our lived do we sometimes not intervene when harm is being done?

STATION 8: JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM Lk 23:27-28 Large numbers of people followed him, and women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children.

When Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem, he is concerned about the wellbeing of them and their families, rather than himself. Beyond those executed by the state, the death penalty impacts us all. What are some indirect impacts the death penalty has on wider society?

PRAYER TO END THE USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY

BY THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS

Merciful Father, we ask your blessing on all we do to build a culture of life. Hear our prayers for those impacted by the death penalty.

We pray for all people, that their lives and dignity as children of a loving God may be respected and protected in all stages and circumstances.

We pray for victims of violence and their families, that they may experience our love and support and find comfort in your compassion and in the promise of eternal life.

We pray for those on death row, that their lives may be spared, that the innocent may be freed and that the guilty may come to acknowledge their faults and seek reconciliation with you.

We pray for the families of those who are facing execution, that they may be comforted by your love and compassion.

We pray for civic leaders, that they may commit themselves to respecting every human life and ending the use of the death penalty in our land.

Compassionate Father, give us wisdom and hearts filled with your love. Guide us as we work to end the use of the death penalty and to build a society that truly chooses life in all situations.

We ask this Father through your Son Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Amen

PRAYER TO END THE USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY A TIME TO REFLECT

What is your prayer to end the use of the death penalty?

STATION 9: JESUS FALLS A THIRD TIME For a third time, Jesus falls under the weight of his own cross.

Many times, we may engage in harmful actions repeatedly, causing us to stumble. What makes us engage in these actions if we know they are bad for us and for others?

Only 9.5 % of death row inmates have a prior murder conviction in their history. Why might people participate in murder repeatedly? What might push those who commit such harm to do so?

On your own...

Research the following saints and people celebrated in the Catholic Church for standing up to the injustice of the death penalty.

Jacques Fesch St. Joseph Cafasso St. John Paul II St. Martha Wang Luo Mande St. Nicholas St. Raphael Kalinowski

RESEARCH NOTES

STATION 10: JESUS' CLOTHES ARE TAKEN AWAY Mt 27: 31 And when they had finished making fun of him, they took off the cloak and dressed him in his own clothes and led him away to crucifixion.

Prior to his crucifixion, the Roman soldiers sought to dehumanize and embarrass Jesus by stripping him of his garments. In what ways are insiders, especially death row inmates, dehumanized? What were you taught about the human condition of death row inmates?

STATION 11: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS None of the gospels mention Jesus being nailed to the cross. The gospel of John does later mention Jesus' wounds.

In the United States today, there are five legal methods of execution: lethal injection, electrocution, lethal gas, hanging, and firing squad.

Sometimes, inmates get a choice between two or more of these. Other times, inmates are condemned to a particular methodology. Reflect on the usage of the legal methods of execution today. Do you consider any of these to be humane or usual punishments?

STATION 12: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS Mk 15:37 But Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

How do you want to experience your final breath? What do humans deserve in their final moments? Does the death penalty allow for such an experience? What would a "humane" final breath look like for insiders?

A PRAYER TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY

BY BILL GRIFFIN & KATHERINE FEELY OF EDUCATION FOR JUSTICE

Gracious God, Source of all Life,You bestow your life and love on each of us and call us to be a just and merciful people.Guide our efforts to work for justice in our legal system.

Strengthen the resolve we need to abolish the death penalty and continue the work for more just laws that respect the life and dignity of every person.

We prayer to you, God of Justice and Mercy, for justice that restores right relationships while we work to address the root causes of violence.

Inspire our collective efforts to enact laws that safeguard the human rights of all: that honor the victims, that protect the community, that hold the perpetrators accountable, that promote restorative justice not vengeance.

God our Redeemer, stir our minds and hearts to act today to speak out against the death penalty and to unite in solidarity with others who strive to defend and uphold the sanctity of all life. We ask this Source of All Being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

A PRAYER TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY A TIME TO REFLECT

What is your prayer to abolish the death penalty?

STATION 13: THE BODY OF JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS After death, Jesus is taken down from the cross by loved ones without any help from the Romans.

Death row inmates often leave behind loved ones who carry the burden of the injustice of execution with them. What can our society and state do to support those directly impacted by the death penalty?

STATION 14: JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB Mk 15:45-46 Having been assured of this by the centurion, [Pilate] granted the corpse to Joseph who bought a shroud, took Jesus down from the cross, wrapped him in the shroud and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.

Sometimes, when insiders are executed, there aren't loved ones to care for the body and coordinate burial arrangements. Other times, loved ones cannot afford the costs associated with moving and burying the body. When this happens, victims of the death penalty are buried in prison cemeteries. Even in death, their bodies are governed by the state.

What reforms could be made to liberate victims from the grasp of the state post-execution?

I VOW TO...

Just as Jesus was executed by the hands of the state, today people across the United States are condemned to death by our government.

What are some steps (prayer, direct action, support, etc.) you vow to take in support of victims of the death penalty?

I VOW TO...