Jesus remains silent and composed as the crowd calls for this death. Pilate finds no guilt in Jesus, yet orders his murder. People look on – ‘It is not my fault. It is not my business’ Many people and many animals live lives of complete humiliation, with no way out – meanwhile we consume away……
The guards give Jesus a heavy wooden cross to carry. The cross he will die on. Degrading torture and the only release will be death. People carry many worries and troubles around with them. We can also place these on others. Take time to reflect on this, can we reduce the load we carry? Do…
Carrying the heavy cross, Jesus is worn down by fatigue and pain. He falls. Were they rejoicing over his stumbling? Had his goodness made them feel less than him? Was he now less than them? When we carry too much eventually the body collapses – Have any of your choices made others stumble? Have you…
Mary meets Jesus on his way to crucifixion. A mother who nurtured, encouraged and loved him. A mother watching in deep pain as she is unable to save or help her son. Throughout the world many mothers grieve today – when they are unable to provide food, medicine or comfort for their children. When a…
Simon did not know Jesus but he lent his strength to help Jesus carry the heavy weight of the wooden cross. During this pandemic, many people need help and support. Can you find opportunities to help others, especially the vulnerable, the hidden, the forgotten? Love steps up to support the vulnerable Love accepts help from…
Moved by his pain, Veronica steps out of the crowd to wipe the blood and sweat from Jesus’ face. An act of love and compassion. A love which overcomes fear. Over these past months, many in the medical profession have cared for people in pain, people dying. Working with courage and compassion in very difficult…
Under the weight of the cross, Jesus again falls. Sometimes it is hard to keep going. Another challenge, a loss of hope and we buckle Take time to rest and pause. Be kind to yourself. Love is the nobility and the strength deep inside us
Jesus sees the women of Jerusalem weeping for him. Moved by their tears, Jesus asks them not to weep for him but for themselves and their children. Even in his pain and exhaustion, Jesus has empathy for these women and stops to speak to them. Many things cause us suffering, many things cause us to…
The journey has been long and gruelling. Jesus is exhausted yet he finds the reserves of energy to stand again and continue the final steps. Sometimes overwhelming, this pandemic has changed our lives. Loneliness, illness, death, loss of freedom, anxiety, financial struggles, relationship difficulties. The world struggles with poverty, climate change, injustice, animal cruelty This…
Jesus arrives at his place of execution. He is stripped of his clothes, his dignity – he has nothing left. Do we recognise dignity in our own lives? In the lives of others? Throughout the world, the vulnerable and the poor are stripped of their homes, their communities, their hopes. Women are degraded in many…
