Stations

On Fridays in Lent our custom is to pray the Stations of the Cross; 14 stations that mark the final moments in the life of Jesus Christ. Most of these moment are taken from scripture and the ones that aren’t are from pious tradition (for instance, Jesus falling three times isn’t in Scripture, but it’s hardly a stretch to say he fell whilst carrying his cross). The stations are marked by plaques along the north and south ends of the church, adorning the walls with the Via Dolorosa thus making a walk around the church a pilgrimage with Jesus to the Cross.

We pray the stations in order after Evening Prayer, usually just after 5pm. When we pay attention, however, we can see them jumbled throughout the day in the lives around us.

5:30am: The Fifth Station – Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his cross.
We adore Thee, O Christ, as we bless Thee. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

At 5:30am I walked into the church via the St Michael the Archangel Law Enforcement Chapel. This is my day to volunteer at the overflow shelter with checkout. There were two Winston-Salem police officers having a cup of coffee in our chapel and hospice. Who knows what they lived through during their shift? How man times were their lives in danger, even when they didn’t know it? Who did they help? Whose burdens did they help carry? Whose lives did they save? Simon didn’t want to help carry the cross; he was compelled. Thank you, Lord, for putting the right people in our path who willingly help with our weakness. Help me to be the same for others. Help me to not refuse the cross.

6:10am: The Eighth Station – Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
We adore Thee, O Christ, as we bless Thee. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

17 women spent the night in our shelter. 2 of the women are parishioners. What brought them from the pew to the pallet is complicated and sad. They met Christ in the Sacrament and now, I pray, they will meet Christ in our patience and welcome. As they exchange their blankets for their coats, may their tears this day be met with compassion and may they return this refuge safely. Help me, Lord, to realize that I bear your love and light to those I meet. May they see and feel your grace and love.

6:52am: The Fourth Station – Jesus Meets his Afflicted Mother
We adore Thee, O Christ, as we bless Thee. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

I receive a text with the news that a former shelter guest was hit by a car and killed. I don’t know if I remember this guest but I am reminded that she asked for a rosary. She never returned to the shelter and she never received her rosary. I pray that she is aided by the prayers and love of the Blessed Mother. As she grieved for her son the moments before his death, she cares for us in the moments before ours. If she didn’t have it on her lips, I pray our friend had the words of the Hail Mary in her heart: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

12:20pm: The Fourteenth Station – Jesus is Placed in the Tomb
We adore Thee, O Christ, as we bless Thee. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Evangelist Billy Graham is buried. Billy Graham was and is not Jesus Christ, but his life had a singular focus of pointing to him. Dr. Graham endeavored to know one thing and one thing only: Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. As he was placed in his tomb, may we reflect on the tomb that held, but only temporarily, the body of Our Lord.

5:39pm: The Tenth Station – Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
We adore Thee, O Christ, as we bless Thee. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

After Stations I placed a phone call to a parishioner was just yesterday diagnosed with cancer. Today was the meeting with the oncologist to plot a path forward. Regardless of stage or aggressiveness, a diagnosis of cancer emotionally strips a person bare. There is nothing to cover it up. You cannot hide from it. Oftentimes the treatment is even more exposing. There is the possible loss of hair and the side effects from chemotherapy. Help us, O Lord, to remember to unite what has been stripped from us with what was stripped from you. Help us to unite our sufferings with yours so we trust in both the meaning and the triumph.

I finished the Stations in the church at about 5:20pm. The Stations in the world around us never end. Our Lord continues to walk the way of sorrows with everyone who suffers. When we see suffering, may we see Our Lord. In seeing Our Lord, may we truly see our brother and sister.

Stabat Mater dolorosa
Juxta crucem lacrimosa
Dum pendebat Filius.

At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful mother weeping
Close to Jesus to the last.