Station I

Jesus is Condemned to Die.

Jesus stands in the most human of places. He has already experienced profound solidarity with so many on this earth, by being beaten and tortured. Now he is wrongfully condemned to punishment by death. His commitment to entering our lives completely begins its final steps. He has said "yes" to God and placed his life in God's hands. We follow him in this final surrender, and contemplate with reverence each place along the way, as he is broken and given for us.

Reader:
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
All:
Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world.

As I view the scene,
I become moved by both outrage and gratitude. I look at Jesus.
His face.
The crown of thorns.
The blood.

His clothes stuck to the wounds on his back. Pilate washes his hands of the whole affair.
Jesus' hands are tied behind his back.

This is for me.
That I might be free.
That I might have eternal life.
As the journey begins I ask to be with Jesus.
To follow his journey. I express my love and thanks.

A half verse of the hymn, Stabat mater dolorosa, shall be sung after each station.

At the cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful mother weeping,
where he hung, the dying Lord.