Second Station


Jesus Takes His Cross

I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord is my help, (therefore I am not disgraced. Isaiah 50, 5-7)

I see you struggling with Your heavy cross, Lord. I ignore you and walk with the crowds. The poor are all around, there hands are outstretched. I look at the guards laughing. I see the strain of Your cross. I see the heavy cross dropped on Your shoulders. I see them shoving and jeering. I see the poor carrying their cross. I see them mocked and jeered at and made to walk down that lonely road before the crowd. I see it and I watch silently for I know this had to be done. I want to take the cross from You, but I watch. You do this for me. I hear You calling “Feed my lambs, tend my sheep.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I beg you to forgive me for all those times I have added to the weight of Your cross. Forgive me when I close my eyes to the pain of the poor and the weight of their cross. Help me to always see Your pain in their eyes. Forgive me Lord when I gossip and judge and find excuses not to serve and be present to the poor. Help me to lighten your load, to take the weight off your cross, by lightening the crosses of others. Forgive me Jesus. Amen.

Our Father Who art in Heaven . . . . . Amen

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