INTRODUCTION TO THE
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
An older priest once growled, “The stations of the cross are a cross! Up and down! Up and down! Up and down.”
Then he added, “And I can’t stand these new stations. Why can’t they use the traditional, St. Alphonsus’ Stations of the Cross? They’re short and they get right to the point.”
The following “Stations of the Cross” are new. They are also longer than St. Alphonsus’ Stations of the Cross. And at times they also fit the older priest’s third objection of not getting right to the point.
Instead of up and down, up and down, quick prayers, when using these stations of the cross, I urge slow, quiet reflection. At home, in a quiet spot or at the computer say one or two of a few of them quietly. At Church, just sit under one or two of the stations and reflect on the scene. That’s how I wrote these stations -- just sitting there under each station and picturing what was happening. Through imagery and example, I try to evoke feelings that will bring Jesus’ stations of the cross right into everyday life.
However, my goal is the same as that of St. Alphonsus: to help all of us make the journey to Calvary with Jesus, to help us discover that Jesus is with us in our journey to Calvary, to realize that we are still crucifying Christ today in the ways we hurt our neighbor, and to realize how much Jesus loves and forgives us in spite of all the hurt.
These stations of the cross can be used alone or with a group, in Church or in your house. They can also be used while traveling to and from work in the bus or on the train. And who said that we have to use all 14 stations of the cross in one trip?
The Stations of the Cross are a cross. 14 stations. It’s a long train ride. 14 stations. We rather take the express train and get home faster.
The Stations of the Cross are a cross. 14 stops. It’s a long bus ride. 14 stops. Yet, it’s good to stop to reflect on all that God has done for us in sending us his Son, Jesus.
Jesus walked the road to Calvary alone surrounded by people. Since then, millions of people have walked with him by making the stations of the cross. If these new stations of the cross help you in your prayer along the way of the cross, then my prayers and my hopes will have been met. I will have done what St. Alphonsus did. He wrote stations of the cross to try to put the Good News of Jesus Christ in simple terms to help the people of his day.
Then he added, “And I can’t stand these new stations. Why can’t they use the traditional, St. Alphonsus’ Stations of the Cross? They’re short and they get right to the point.”
The following “Stations of the Cross” are new. They are also longer than St. Alphonsus’ Stations of the Cross. And at times they also fit the older priest’s third objection of not getting right to the point.
Instead of up and down, up and down, quick prayers, when using these stations of the cross, I urge slow, quiet reflection. At home, in a quiet spot or at the computer say one or two of a few of them quietly. At Church, just sit under one or two of the stations and reflect on the scene. That’s how I wrote these stations -- just sitting there under each station and picturing what was happening. Through imagery and example, I try to evoke feelings that will bring Jesus’ stations of the cross right into everyday life.
However, my goal is the same as that of St. Alphonsus: to help all of us make the journey to Calvary with Jesus, to help us discover that Jesus is with us in our journey to Calvary, to realize that we are still crucifying Christ today in the ways we hurt our neighbor, and to realize how much Jesus loves and forgives us in spite of all the hurt.
These stations of the cross can be used alone or with a group, in Church or in your house. They can also be used while traveling to and from work in the bus or on the train. And who said that we have to use all 14 stations of the cross in one trip?
The Stations of the Cross are a cross. 14 stations. It’s a long train ride. 14 stations. We rather take the express train and get home faster.
The Stations of the Cross are a cross. 14 stops. It’s a long bus ride. 14 stops. Yet, it’s good to stop to reflect on all that God has done for us in sending us his Son, Jesus.
Jesus walked the road to Calvary alone surrounded by people. Since then, millions of people have walked with him by making the stations of the cross. If these new stations of the cross help you in your prayer along the way of the cross, then my prayers and my hopes will have been met. I will have done what St. Alphonsus did. He wrote stations of the cross to try to put the Good News of Jesus Christ in simple terms to help the people of his day.
© Andy Costello, Stations 2009
-.
No comments:
Post a Comment