Station One: Jesus is condemned to death

Jesus was beaten and tortured and wrongfully condemned to death. We stand here on a speaking platform and commit ourselves to speak out. We are willing to be denounced for our words and actions, and we will speak out when others are wrongfully condemned. Jesus confronted the forces of death with no concern for the personal cost. We will walk with him.

Let us pray: Righteous God, help us to find our voice when others are silenced. Amen

Station Two: The cross is laid upon Jesus
Jesus carried the cross upon which he was tortured and killed. It was placed at a crossroads so those passing by would see the imposing silhouette and fear the power of the Roman government. Infatuation with power leads to death. With Jesus, we carry the implements of our own demise.

Let us pray: Merciful God, teach us to trust in your power. Amen

Station Three: Jesus falls for the first time
We have here a symbol of human power. It marks a battle line in the bloodiest war in our nation’s history. Jesus stumbled under the burden of human failings. When we fail to reconcile our differences, we fall.

Let us pray: Gracious God, give us the courage to honor those who are different from us and the fortitude to seek unity when power is used to divide. Amen

Station Four: Jesus encounters his mother, Mary, as he carries his cross
Jesus and Mary, for us they are of the substance of God, but here we see them in human agony – a mother clutching onto her son as he is being led to his death. The love of family is fierce, and though this love holds us up, it is also the source of intimate pain. We stand at the Post Office, where we receive the gifts of our families, and give thanks for all they have given us.

Let us pray: Loving God, help us to love like Mary. Give us the tenderness to nurture growth in others, the wisdom to know when to hold on, and the strength to be able to let go. Amen

Station Five: Simon of Cyrene is ordered to carry the cross for Jesus
Simon of Cyrene was visiting Jerusalem from Africa. He had come for Passover and found himself conscripted by a Roman soldier to carry the cross of Jesus. Gandhi carried the burdens of his people and ultimately, those of oppressed people everywhere. He turned the willingness to carry heavy burdens into a potent force for justice and truth.

Let us pray: Abiding God, give us the strength to shoulder heavy burdens when they are crushing those who have been worn down. Amen

Station Six: Veronica wipes Jesus’ face with a cloth as he passes by.
Jesus was in agony and Veronica stooped to wipe blood and tears from his face. She was a loving disciple who tended to him when he was in great need. After he had been forced on, she discovered the image of his face on her cloth. As you look at your reflection in the mirror, contemplate what you see. The image of Christ shines in your face. Look to others expecting to see the image of God.

Let us pray: Creator God, help us to see the radiance of your human face in each and every aspect of your good creation. Amen

Station Seven: Jesus falls for a second time
According to legend, if you step on this crest you will not graduate. You will fall. Perhaps some of us have really tripped and fallen over it. Jesus fell. He was brought low. With his tears and spittle mixed with dirt, he comes face to face with mortality. All of us fall. All of us find ourselves on our knees ashamed to lift our heads. In this moment of vulnerability, we know that we are all the same. The greatest is the least, and the least the greatest.

Let us pray: Compassionate God, hold us when we fall and give us the understanding that we never rise under our own power. Amen



Station Eight: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
The women of Jerusalem wept for Jesus. They knew pain. They knew what it was like to be forced to abide what is wrong; to lift their voices and never be heard. This water wall reminds us of another woman – the woman at the well. She was the first disciple to recognize Jesus as the Savior. We draw strength from her witness, and from the women of Jerusalem who proclaimed Christ with their tears.

Let us pray: Generous God, give us living water through the sacrament of tears. Amen

Station Nine: Jesus falls for a third time
This time it is grave. The last fall is devastating. Jesus collapses under the weight of the cross. Most people come here, to the Health Center, after they have been feeling bad for some time. You come here when you are not sure that you can carry on. No matter how strong we are, we will all eventually fall.

Let us pray: Comforting God, grant us the presence of your Holy Spirit to catch us when we fall. Amen

Station Ten: The soldiers strip Jesus of his garments and draw lots for his clothing
This gate is a symbol of our feeling of vulnerability. We find it necessary, but we also realize it is inadequate. It does not free us from our defenselessness.

Jesus was stripped bare. He was humiliated. The soldiers mocked him by casting lots for his clothes. Jesus is utterly defenseless to their power. We too have been humiliated. Try as we might, there are times when we are exposed for not being what we hope to be. Jesus stands with all who feel powerless. Jesus stands with all who have survived the abuse of power.

Let us pray: Ever-present God, in Jesus Christ you experienced ultimate vulnerability. Give us strength to fight and the will to survive. Pick us up when we are broken. Amen



Station Eleven: Jesus is crucified
How can it be? The Savior is brutally killed. The champion of the captive and oppressed is executed in government custody. Our hope is lost. This tragedy is ours. It is the most trying moment of our faith.

Let us pray: O God, why did this happen? Where are you? How can we live? Amen