Journey To The Cross Bible readings and prayers
Introduction These depictions, known traditionally as Stations of the Cross, are a meditation on the Passion of Jesus – that is his crucifixion and the circumstances leading to it. The stations are used during the season of Lent to encourage us to contemplate more deeply the mystery that Christ died for us, therefore making us ready to celebrate the joys of his resurrection at Easter. These particular depictions by the artist Peter Walker are based on episodes from the Gospels, which you can read in the pages that follow. We encourage you to use the depictions together with this leaflet to meditate on God’s love for us and for the whole world. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16
1 The Hour Has Come They went to a place called Gethsemane; and Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ Mark 14:32-36 Lord, show me your way, and make me willing to follow. Amen St Bridget of Sweden
2 The Kiss While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. Mark 14:43-46 Lord, you knew the betrayal of your friend. Stand by us when we are let down, and when we ourselves fail. Grant us the grace to find healing and make amends, confident that nothing can separate us from your love. Amen
3 Condemnation When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought Jesus to their council. They said, ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us.’ He replied, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’ All them asked, ‘Are you then the Son of God?’ He said to them, ‘You say that I am.’ Then they said, ‘What further testimony do we need? We have heard it from his own lips!’ Luke 22:66-71 Lord, though innocent, you were condemned. Stand by those who are falsely accused, and give us courage to stand for truth and justice. Amen
4 Denial Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus the Galilean.’ But he denied it before all of them, saying, ‘I do not know what you are talking about.’ When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, ‘This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ Again he denied it with an oath, ‘I do not know the man.’ After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.’ Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know the man!’ At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: ‘Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:69-75 Lord, whose word is faithful, when our faith is tested and our resolve weakened, give us strength to stand firm. Amen
5 Primary (Judgement) 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. Mark 15:1-5 Lord of lords and King of kings, grant wisdom and courage to all who hold authority in this world, that they may act with truth and integrity, for the well being of all your people and the glory of your name. Amen
6 The Flagellation Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and striking him on the face. John 19:1-3 Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Amen Reinhold Niebuhr
7 Jesus in Shadow Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. Pilate said to the crowd, ‘Here is your King!’ They cried out, ‘Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!’ Pilate asked them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but the emperor.’ Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. John 19:14-17 Christ our Guide, stay with us on our pilgrimage through life; when we falter, encourage us; when we stumble, steady us; and when we have fallen, pick us up. Help us to become, step by step, more truly ourselves, and remind us that you have travelled this way before us. Amen Angela Ashwin
8 Compulsion As they led Jesus away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. Luke 23:26 Lord, grant us the perception to know that in sharing the burdens of others, we are serving you. Amen
9 Pity A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” 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?’ Luke 23:27-31 Lord, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, that great yet divided city, that all who love her may prosper together, and for all places and communities where there is conflict and division: let fear turn to trust, division to unity, and hatred to love. Amen
10 Crucifixion When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing. Luke 23:33-34 Lord, in your cross shame is turned to glory, judgement to forgiveness, and death to life. As we look to the cross reveal to us the breadth, length, height and depth of your eternal love. Amen
11 Mother and Friend Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. John 19:25-27 Lord, you gave your mother to be the mother of all those whom you love. Grant us to know the love and fellowship of your family the Church, as it strives for your kingdom on earth and shares in your glory in Heaven. Amen
12 Remember Me One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ Luke 23: 39-43 Lord, stay with me throughout this life and, at the hour of my death, be my hope and my refuge. Amen
13 The Last Breath It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23: 44-46 Support us, O Lord, all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen St John Henry Newman
14 When it feels like all hope has gone When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Matthew 27: 57-60 Lord, as we have trodden this way with you to the foot of the cross and the door of the tomb, grant that we may know the joys of your risen life, now and in the world to come. Amen
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