The Seventh Station: Jesus Carries His Cross

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

When the chief priests and the police saw him [Jesus] they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him." ... They cried out, "Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!" Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. (John 19: 6, 15-17)

Reflection

While beaten, battered, and bruised, Jesus carried his cross on the journey to Golgotha. A cross that contained salvation and pardon for ALL people. He did this while being mocked and laughed at, while being scourged, and while his dignity was being stripped away with every step. How many people today carry crosses of injustice, betrayal, insults, and hate? How many people who long for mercy, love, and acceptance as they take each breath. Can you identify who in our world face the burden of carrying such a cross?

What can we do as followers of Christ? We are called to assist with the burdens of those carrying the many crosses in our society. When we see people struggling with the weight of poverty, discrimination, hate, hunger, homelessness, and injustice; we are called to take up our own cross, like Jesus, and help those in need. We offer love and support through our care and compassion.

Let us pray.

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.

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.

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