Station VII: Jesus falls the second time
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading:
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. For the transgression of my people was he stricken.
But as for me, I am a worm and no man:
Scorned by all and despised by the people.
Reflection: excerpt from On Being interview with Bp. Michael Curry on being “Spiritual Bridge People” in a time of unrest
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
If we live in God and live in love, we will find ourselves in relationship with God and with each other. Those who stand for justice and stand for righteousness, I remind my friends, you know what? I agree with you. But justice by itself is not enough. Justice without mercy — read Micah — justice without love can turn into revenge, and that is not the way of God. That is not the social change we want. That is not something that reflects the kingdom, the reign of God, the beloved community that God dreams for us all. So I like that psalm that says, “set me upon a rock that is higher than I.” Call me to something better than Michael’s lowest self. Call me to my highest self, and then help me learn how to rise.
–Bishop Michael Curry, On Being interview with Krista Tippett
Loving Jesus, help us all learn how to rise.
et benedicimus tibi,
quia per sanctam crucem tuam
redemisti mundum.
Qui passus es pro nobis,
Domine, Domine, miserere nobis.
We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we bless Thee,
who by Thy Holy Cross
hast redeemed the world.
He who suffered death for us,
O Lord, O Lord,
have mercy on us.
Closing Prayer:
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
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