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The
Sign of the Cross
Opening Scripture Reading
The Son
of Man is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected,
and to be raised up on the third day. If anyone
wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself
and take up is cross every day and follow me.
For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it;
but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man
will save it. Luke 9:22-24
Opening Prayer
Lord
Jesus, help me to be open to your closeness and presence
as I begin this journey to Calvary with you. Help
me to find in your Passion and Death the strength to
take up my cross and follow you.
Before Each Meditation
I adore you, Lord Jesus, and I praise you. Because
by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
After Each Meditation
Our
Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy
kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and
forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass
against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed
is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother
of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was
in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without
end. Amen.
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Station
One: Pilate Condemns Jesus
Lord
Jesus, Often I judge others and fail to be understanding
or loving. Help me to see the people in
my life through your eyes, not the eyes of a Pontius
Pilate. |
Station
Two: Jesus Accepts His Cross
Lord
Jesus, you embraced your cross to redeem the world.
Help me to embrace the crosses in my life - the
hardships, struggles, disappointments, pain. Only
by recognizing my own weakness, can I discover
your strength. |
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Station
Three: Jesus Falls the First Time
Lord
Jesus, you know how often I fall trying to follow
you. Yet you are always there to lift me up. Help
me always to trust in your loving care for me.
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Station
Four: Jesus Meets His Mother
Lord
Jesus, your mother Mary's grief was surpassed
by her love for you. So often you cam to
me in other and their love gives me new life.
Help me to see how often you love me through the
people in my life. |
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Station
Five: Simon Helps Carry the Cross
Lord
Jesus, sometimes I am indifferent to the needs
of others in my life. I even neglect those
whom I love. Help me to see that loving
other is the surest way to find you in my life.
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Station
Six: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Lord
Jesus, at times I am afraid to reach out to others.
I do nothing when I should act, I say nothing
when I should speak out. Give me a deeper
and more courageous faith. Help me to trust
that you are with me. |
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Station
Seven: Jesus Fall the Second Time
Lord
Jesus, failure and disappointment sometimes lead
me to despair. I hide behind my pride and
self-pity, withdrawing from you and others.
Give me the hope I need and help me never to be
afraid to begin again. |
Station
Eight: Jesus Speaks to the Women
Lord
Jesus, your great compassion for other overwhelms
me. I feel petty and selfish when I think of you
and the way you love. Help me to pour out
my love, that you might fill me with your love.
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Station
Nine: Jesus Falls the Third Time
Lord
Jesus, your failing strength makes me see how
helpless I am. Without you, I can do nothing.
Help me to rely on your strength, to see how much
I need you. |
Station
Ten: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
Lord
Jesus, seeing you so cruelly humiliated makes
me realize how I cling to my accomplishments,
my possessions, my way. Help me to let go
of those things in my life that prevent me form
growing closer to you and others. |
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Station
Eleven: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Lord
Jesus, I can never doubt your great love for me
when I see you crucified. Help me to see
your cross as the great sign of your love for
me. |
Station
Twelve: Jesus Dies on the Cross
Lord
Jesus, your broken and lifeless body calls me
to deeper faith. You chose death, even death
on the cross. Help me to see my crosses
as ways of loving you. |
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Station
Thirteen: Jesus is Taken from the Cross
Lord
Jesus, seeing your body taken form the cross reminds
me how fearful I am of letting go of my own life.
I am frightened when I think of being unimportant,
useless, helpless. Help me to place my life in
your hands. |
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Closing
Scripture Reading
On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn,
they went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared.
The stone had been rolled away form the tomb, but on
entering they discovered that the body of the Lord Jesus
was they stood there not knowing what to think, two
men in brillian clothes suddenly appeared at their side.
Terrified, lowered their eyes. But the two men
said to them, "Why look among the dead for someone
who is alive? He is not here, he has risen. Remember
what he todl you when he was still in Galilee: that
the Son of Man had to be Handed over into the men and
be crucified, and rise again on the third day
Closing
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to walk with you each day of my
life, even to Calvary. The sorrow and joy, the
pain and healing and triumphs of my life are truly small
deaths and resurrections that lead me to closeness with
you. Give me the faith to walk with you always.
Amen.
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