Saint Matthew's - Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross

Introduction

These fourteen steps that you are now about to walk you do not take alone. I walk with you.

Though you are you, and I am I, yet we are truly one - one Christ. And therefore, My way of the cross two thousand years ago and your "way" now are also one.

But note this difference, My life was incomplete until I crowned it by My death. Your fourteen steps will only be complete when you have crowned them by your life.

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I

Jesus is Condemned

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

In Pilate's hands, my other self, I see my Father's will. Though Pilate is unjust, he is the lawful governor, and he has power over me. And so, the Son of God obeys a son of man. If I bow to Pilate's rule because this is My Father's will, can you refuse obedience to those whom I place over you?(Pause for reflection)

RESPONSE:
My Jesus, Lord, remove the blinders from my eyes that I may see that it is You whom I obey in all who govern me. Lord, it is you.

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II

Jesus Takes His Cross

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

This Cross, this chunk of tree, is what My Father chose for Me. This Cross you must bear is largely products of your daily life, and yet My Father chose them too for you. Receive them from His hands. Take heart My other self. I will not let your burdens grow one ounce too heavy for your strength.

RESPONSE:
My Jesus, Lord, I take my daily cross. Remind me often that in carrying my cross, I carry yours with You. And though I bear a sliver only of Your cross, You carry all of mine, except the sliver in return.

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III

Jesus Falls

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

The God who made the universe, and holds it in existence by His will alone, becomes, as man, too weak to bear a piece of timber's weight. How human in His weakness is the Son of Man. My Father willed it thus. I could not be your model otherwise. If you could be My other self, you also must accept without complain your human frailties.

RESPONSE:
Jesus Lord, how can I refuse? Make me content with all my discontents but give me strength to struggle after You.

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IV

Jesus Meets His Mother

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

My mother sees Me whipped. She sees Me kicked and driven like a beast. She counts My every wound. But though Her soul cries out in agony, no protest or complaint escapes Her lips, or even enters Her thoughts. She shares My martyrdom and I share Hers. We hide no pain, no sorrow from each other's eyes. This is My Father's will.

RESPONSE:
My Jesus, Lord, I do believe for those who love you, all things work together unto good. They must!

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V

Simon Helps Jesus

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

My strength is gone; I can no longer bear the Cross alone. And so, the legionnaires make Simon give Me aid. This Simon is like you, My other self. Give me your strength, each time you lift some burden from another's back, you lift with your very hand the Cross's awful weight that crushes Me.

RESPONSE:
Lord, make me realize that every kindness I extend to others, I really give it to you.

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VI

Veronica Helps Jesus

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Can you be brave enough, My other self to wipe My bloody face? Where is My face, you ask? At home whenever eyes fill up with tears, at work when tensions rise, on playgrounds, in the slums, the courts, the hospitals, the jails - wherever suffering exists - My face is there. And there I look for you to wipe away My blood and tears.

RESPONSE:
Lord, live in me and act in me and love me. And not in me alone; in all men so that we may reveal no more Your bloody but glorious face on earth.

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VII

Jesus Falls Again

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

This seventh step, My other self, is one that tests your will. From this fall, learn to persevere in doing good. The time will come when all your efforts seem to fail, and you will think; "I can't go on". Then turn to Me, My heavy-laden one, and I will give you rest. Trust Me and carry on.

RESPONSE:
Give me Your courage, Lord. Help me. Alone there's nothing I can do. With You, I can do anything You ask. I will.

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VIII

Jesus Consoles The Women

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

How often had I longed to take the children of Jerusalem and gather them to Me. But they refused. Now these women weep for Me, and My heart mourns for them - mourns for their sorrows that will come. I comfort those who seek to solace Me. How gentle can you be My other self, how kind?

RESPONSE:
Lord, teach me, help me learn. When I would snap at others, Lord, make me kind like you.

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IX

The Third Fall

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Completely drained of strength I lie, collapsed upon the cobblestones. My body cannot move. No blows, no kicks can rouse it up. And yet My will is mine. And so is yours. Know this My other self, your body may be broken, but no force on earth and none in hell can take away your will. Your will is yours.

RESPONSE:
My Lord, when all my strength is gone and guilt and self-reproach press me to earth, save me from despair! Lord, never let me feel that any sin of mine is greater than Your love. No matter what my past has been, I can begin anew.

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X

Jesus Is Stripped

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Behold, my other self, the poorest king who ever lived. Before My creatures I stand stripped. The cross - My deathbed - even this is not My own. Yet who has ever been so rich? Possessing nothing, I own all - My Father's love. If you, too, would own everything, be not solicitous about your food, your clothes, and your life.

RESPONSE:
My Lord, detach me from the craving for prestige, position, and wealth. Root out of me all trace of envy. Release me from the vice of pride. May I be poor in spirit, Lord, so that I can be rich in you.

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XI

Jesus Is Crucified

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Can you imagine what crucifixion is? My executioners stretch My arms; they hold My hand and wrist against the wood and press the nail until it stabs My flesh. Then with one hammer smash, they drive it through - and pain bursts like a bomb of fire in My brain. They seize the other arm; and agony again explodes. Then raising My knees so that My feet are flat against the wood, they hammer them fast too.

RESPONSE:
My God, I look at You and think: is my soul worth this much? I here and now accept for all my life whatever sickness, torment and agony that may come.

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XII

Jesus Dies

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

The Cross becomes a pulpit now "forgive them, - Father……. You will be with Me in paradise...there is your Mother... There... Your son...I thirst... It is complete." To speak I have to raise Myself by pressing on My wrists and feet, and every move engulfs Me in new waves of agony, and then, when I have borne enough, have emptied My humanity, I let my mortal life depart.

RESPONSE:
My Jesus, God, I offer you my death for my own sins and those of all my fellowmen. My God! My God! Forsake us not; we know not what we do.

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XIII

Jesus Is Taken Down

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

The sacrifice is done. Yes, My Mass is complete; but not My mother's and not yours, My other self. My Mother still must cradle in Her arms the lifeless body of the son she bore. You, too, must part from those you love, and grief will come to you. In your bereavements think of this; a multitude of souls were saved by Mary's sharing in My calvary. Your grief can also be the price of souls.

RESPONSE:
I beg you, Lord, help me accept the partings that must come - from friends who go away, my children leaving home, and most of all, my dear ones when you call them to yourself. Grant them eternal joy.

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XIV

Jesus Is Buried

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

So ends My mortal life. But now another life begins, for Mary and for Magdalene; for Peter and for John; and for you. My work as man is done. My work within and through My Church must now commence. I look to you, My other self. Day in, day out, from this time forth, be My apostle - victim - saint.

RESPONSE:
My Jesus, Lord, you know my spirit is as willing as my flesh is weak. I am nothing, Lord. Help me!

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Conclusion

I told you at the start, My other self, My life was not complete until I crowned it by My death. Your "way" is not complete unless you crown it by your life.

Accept each moment as it comes to you, with faith and trust that all that happens has My mark on it. A simple fiat, this is all it takes; a breathing in your heart, "I will it, Lord".

So, seek Me not in far-off places. I am close at hand. Your workbench, office, kitchen, these are altars where you offer love. And I am with you there.

Go now! Take up your Cross and with your life complete the way.

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