First Station: Jesus is condemned to die.

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

It was early Friday morning when I saw my Son.
That was the first glimpse I had of Him since they took Him away.
His bruised and bleeding skin sent a sword of pain deep into my heart and tears down my cheeks.
Then Pilate, from his chair of judgment, asked the crowd why they wanted my Son executed.
All around me they shouted,” Crucify him!”
I wanted to plead with them to stop, but I knew this had to be.
So I stood by and cried silently. 

​Let us pray: Lord Jesus, it is hard for me to imagine
the anguish your Mother felt at your condemnation. But what about today, when I hold a grudge...? “Crucify Him!” “When I judge others...” “Crucify him!” Doesn’t this bring tears of anguish to both you and your Mother? Forgive me, Jesus. 

At the Cross Her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last. 

Illustration by Jan Hearn ©
Posted by Fr Tomas