THE WAY OF THE CROSS

Two Lenten practices are prayer forms for individuals or groups. The traditional Stations of the Cross have been prayed for centuries, ever since it was too dangerous and difficult for pilgrims to actually walk his last steps up the hill to Golgotha. There have been many meditations connected to each Station. Listed here are “Traditional Stations” and the “New  Stations” of the Cross recommended by Pope St. John Paul II during his Papacy.

    THE “NEW” STATIONS OF THE CROSS

1. Jesus prays in the Garden of Olives    (Luke 22; 39-42, 45-46, Mark 14; 33-36)
2. Jesus is betrayed by Judas  (Matthew 26; 45-49, Mark 14; 43, 44-46)
3. Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin  (Mark 14; 55-56, 60-65)
4. Jesus is denied  by Peter  (Luke 22; 54-62, Mark 14; 66-72)
5. Jesus is judged by Pilate  (Luke 23; 20-25, Mark 15; 1-15)
6. Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns  (John 19; 1-3, Mark 15; 15-20)
7. Jesus carries his Cross  (John 19; 17,  Mark 15; 20)
8. Jesus is helped by Simon of Cyrene  (Mark 15; 20-21, Luke 23; 26)
9. Jesus encounters the women of Jerusalem  ( Luke 23; 27-31)
10. Jesus is crucified  (Mark 15; 22-26, Luke 23; 32-34)
11.   Jesus promises to share his reign with the good thief  (Luke 23; 39-43)
12.   Jesus is on the Cross, with his mother and the disciples below
13. (John 19; 25-27, Luke 23; 34-35)
13.   Jesus dies on the Cross  (Matthew 27; 45-50, Mark 15; 33-37)         
14.   Jesus is placed in the tomb  (Matthew  27; 57-61, Mark 15; 46)
15.   Holy Saturday and Easter Resurrection  (Luke 24; 1-3)

Station 6:   Does the kindness I express always need to be in public to be worth my while?
                    Do I remain at peace when my help goes unnoticed or is unappreciated?
Station 7:   How do I respond or show my attitude toward people whose faults are very
                     obvious? How often do I find myself in judgement of others?
Station 8:   How concerned am I when encountering and relating to those of another
                    culture or race? How ready am I to comfort and support them when they
                    are suffering?
Station 9:    Is it easier for me to forgive the failures and ‘falls’ of some people but not of
                      all people? How patient am I with those who portray themselves as victims?
Station 10:   Who do I consistently strip of dignity by the way I ‘label’ them?
Station 11:   How does my intolerance or my ‘put-downs’ nail some people to the Cross?
                       What causes me to do this?
Station 12:   What gift, idea, dream or initiative for others do I let die without making the
                       effort to sustain it or bring it back to life again?
Station 13:    When do I offer help ‘too little/too late’ because of laziness or                                              procrastination?                                  
Station 14:    What virtue have I buried with my cynicism or harshness in relating to
                     others?
Station 15:    What awareness has the Risen Christ offered that consistently encourages
                        my conversion and transformation? How seriously do I accept his offer?