Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many charges they have brought against you?" But to the governor's complete amazement, he offered no reply to any of the charges…Pilate knew it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over…Pilate said to them, "What am I to do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Let him be crucified!" "Why?" he asked, "What harm has he done?" But they shouted all the louder, "let him be crucified!" Then Pilate saw that he was making no impression, that in fact a riot was imminent. So he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd and said, "I am innocent of this man's blood. It is your concern." And the people to a man shouted back, "His blood be on us and on our children!" Then he handed Jesus over to be crucified. (Matthew 27.13-25) With Christ and Our lady let us share the suffering of all victims of circumstance, injustice and human pride, especially the sufferings of children, and those who grow up without love, real joy or hope. Let us pray that the Lord will forgive our faults. Jesus, help us not to judge others. Be merciful when you judge us who are sinners.
They then took charge of Jesus, and carrying his own cross he went out of the city to the place of the skull or, as it was called in Hebrew, Golgotha. (John 19:17) A man to make people screen their faces, he was despised and we took no account of him…he bore the faults of many praying all the time for sinners. (Isaiah 53.3, 12) With Christ and Our Lady let us share the suffering of those who freely choose to follow Our Lord on the way of Calvary: all religious, those who care for the aged, the sick and the dispossessed. May we learn to be generous in giving glory to God and responding to the needs of others. Jesus, help us not to impose burdens on others through fear and selfishness. Sacred heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Harshly dealt with, he bore it humbly, he never opened his mouth, like a lamb that is led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep that is dumb before its shearers never opening its mouth. (Isaiah 53:7) It was essential that he should…become completely like his brothers…able to atone for human sins. (Hebrews 2:17) With Christ and Our Lady let us share the suffering of those who live under hostile and oppressive regimes and who are persecuted for their faithfulness to the gospel. Let us pray for those who have authority over them and for those who seek to plead the cause of all who make a stand for truth and justice. Jesus, give us the strength to support those who are weak and oppressed.
All you who pass this way, look and see: is there any sorrow like the sorrow that afflicts me? …How can I describe you, to what compare you, daughter of Jerusalem? (Lamentations 1:12, 2:13) Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, 'Woman, this is your son'. Then to the disciple he said, 'This is your mother'. And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home. (John 19:26) With Christ and Our Lady let us share the sufferings of all who are lonely, of all mothers who grieve for their children and of all divided families. Let us pray for those who at great sacrifice struggle to remain faithful to their marriage vows, and for all families in which the love of God is taught and revealed. Jesus, enfold our homes and families with the joy and peace of your home in Nazareth.
As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26) Then he said to all, "If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself, and take up his cross every day and follow me". (Luke 9:23) With Christ and Our Lady, let us enter into the suffering of all who share the lot of the humble and despised, and of those who fight for justice and a better world. Let us pray for all who take part in political and social action for the good of the communities in which they live. Jesus, let us see you in the face of every human being made in the image of God.
I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:40) He was in the world that had its being through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own domain and his own people did not accept him. But to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God. (John 1:10-12) With Christ and Our Lady let us share in the suffering of the Church, sadly disfigured by the sin of our selfishness and indifference, and in the suffering of those whose freedom is limited by injury, or impairment of sight, hearing or movement. Let us pray for all who bring healing to body, mind and the human spirit. Jesus, let us seek pardon where there is injury, let us bring hope where there is despair.
I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult or spittle. (Isaiah 50:5-6) Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you refused! So be it! Your house will be left to you desolate. (Matthew 23:37-38) With Christ and Our Lady let us share in the suffering of all those who have not been able to resist temptation, and who have given way to despair and shame. Let us pray for those who are hurt by the weakness and failure of others, for those who have lost hope and who do not know the assurance of God's forgiveness. Jesus, give us the courage to face what is painful and unattractive; may your love cast out our fear.
Large numbers of people followed him, and of 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". (Luke 23: 27-28) As he drew near and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, 'If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! ...Yes, a time is coming when your enemies…will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you.' (Luke 19:41-44) With Christ and Our Lady let us share in the suffering of all who are victims of the sins of the world, of all suffering children, of all victims of war, of all crushed by debt. Let us seek forgiveness for our own bad example and evasion of responsibility, those things which hinder people of goodwill from hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus, prevent us from being superficial; help us to talk about the things that really matter.
Here are we preaching a crucified Christ; to the Jews an obstacle that they cannot get over, to the pagans madness, but to those who have been called; whether, they are Jews or Greeks, a Christ who is the power and the wisdom of God. For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:23-25) My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue clings to my gums, and you lay me in the dust of death. (Psalms 22:14-15) With Christ and Our Lady let us share the suffering of all who are down-trodden and treated with contempt, those 'little ones' who are oppressed by the 'proud' and the 'mighty'. Let us pray for political prisoners and displaced persons, for all victims of racial hatred, and for all who are deprived of their rights as the sons and daughters of God. Jesus, deepen our faith in the Father's love. Help us to understand that the everlasting arms will never allow us to fall.
When the soldiers had finished crucifying Jesus they took his clothing and divided it into four shares, one for each soldier. His undergarment was seamless, woven in one piece from neck to hem; so they said to one another, "Instead of tearing it, let's throw dice to decide who is to have it." (John 19:23) Why are your garments red, your clothes as if you had trodden the winepress? I have trodden the winepress alone. Of the men of my people not one was with me…I looked: there was no one to help; aghast: not one could I find to support me. (Isaiah 63:2-5) With Christ and Our Lady, let us share the suffering of all those in the world who have nothing; the homeless, the hungry, those with no hope of work, the aged and the mentally ill for whom nobody cares. Let us pray for all who seek to minister to them and reveal afresh their human dignity. Jesus, teach us to value in this life the things which last to eternity. Sacred heart of Jesus: Have mercy on us.
They crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.' One of the criminals spoke up, "Jesus," he said, "remember me when you come into your kingdom." "Indeed, I promise you," he replied, " today, you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23: 33-43) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? All those who see me laugh me to scorn, they shoot out their lips at me and wag their heads, saying, "He trusted in the Lord, let him deliver him, if he delights in him. There is none to help." (Psalm 22:1-11) With Christ and Our Lady let us share the sufferings of all who bear the results of inherited disease and weakness, of industrial injuries and of the greed and carelessness of others. Let us pray for all who seek to give them new hope and dignity and reveal the glory of God in being fully alive. Jesus, take from us all bitterness and envy of others; let us give thanks for all we have received from you.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me,
And bid me come to thee,
That with thy saints I may praise thee
for ever and ever.
Amen.
The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with him and then of the other. When they came to Jesus, they found he was already dead, and so instead of breaking his legs one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water…After this, Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because he was afraid of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission. (St John 19:32-38) Blessings on you, O our God, for confounding your people's enemies today! May you be blessed, my daughter, by God most High, beyond all women on earth; and may the Lord God be blessed. The trust you have shown shall not pass from the memories of men; but shall ever remind them of the power of God. (Judith 13:19.25) With Christ and Our Lady let us share the suffering of all parents who mourn the death of a child, of all who mourn, especially those who have no hope of the resurrection. Let us ask the Lord to deepen in our hearts the love of all he commands, that we may with true contrition and profound joy know and share with others the hope of heaven. Jesus, even in adversity give us joy, for joy is the mark of our confidence in the Father's love.
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean shroud and put it in his own new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a large stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away. (St Matthew 59-60) When we were baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptised in his death; we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised by the Father's glory, we too might live a new life. (Romans 6:3-4) With Christ and Our Lady let us share the suffering of all those who refuse to accept the fullness and joy of living, those who cannot hear the life-giving Word of God. Let us pray that since in baptism we have shared His death in order to share His risen life, so through us may the Word of God be alive and active today. Jesus, teach us to know you, to love you, to follow you; call us on the last day to share in your resurrection.
It was very early on the first day of the week when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb" she said, "and we don't know where they have put him". They went into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head…They saw and believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead. (John 20: 1.9) Jesus, by your death you have destroyed our death, and by your rising again you have restored us to eternal life. Lord of life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity. Amen.
OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
The Stations of the Cross bought for St Andrew's, Deal in 2002 from a Chelsea Convent