Station VII

Jesus Falls the Second Time

Even with help, Jesus stumbles and falls to the ground. In deep exhaustion he stares at the earth beneath him. "Remember, you are dust and to dust you will return." He has seen death before. Now he can feel the profound weakness of disability and disease and aging itself, there on his knees, under the weight of his cross.

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

I contemplate Jesus brought very low.
As I behold him there on the ground,
with all the agony taking its toll on him,
I let my heart go out to him. I store up this image in my heart, knowing that I will never feel alone in my suffering
or in any diminishment,
with this image of Jesus on the ground before me.

This is for me,
so I express the feelings in my heart.

For his people's sins chastised,
she beheld her Son despised,
scourged, and crowned with thorns entwined.