Via Crucis 2006

Via Crucis Grid Blog: Things of Infinite Importance Stations 11 & 12

One Good Friday in seminary a friend of mine, Christine McSpadden, showed me some papers that she said she brought out every Good Friday. They were medical descriptions with drawings of what the crucifixion actually was -- what actually happened to Jesus' body. She said it was helpful for her to meditate on those because it became a little less abstract. I don't know if that's the answer -- the gore of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ didn't seem to do much to help identify Christ more with the oppressed of the world -- but at least the intention is in the right direction.

It doesn't matter what I write in this space. Because in the end what I write will just be words and they will have no connection in reality to what this day is about -- which is pain and death and Christ being in the middle of it suffering and dying.

Maybe what we need is fewer words. Fewer thoughts. Fewer ideas.

Maybe we just need to stop talking ... and make it stop.

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Via Crucis Grid Blog: _awakening Stations 11 & 12

Jesus came to inaugurate a kingdom - one not built through oppression and domination, but one propelled by love and compassion. And his way was the way of the cross. The cross was the triumph of the kingdom - the putting on display of the kingdom kind of life.

A kingdom of hope over a kingdom of despair.
A kingdom of freedom over a kingdom of bondage.
A kingdom of liberation over a kingdom of oppression.
A kingdom of generosity over a kingdom of greed.
A kingdom of love over a kingdom of power.
A kingdom of light over a kingdom of darkness.

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Via Crucis Grid Blog: Best & Worst Stations 10-12

There was the velvety blackness that comes with closing your eyes in dim light, and then it was darkness, total darkness and I saw him –  Jesus. He was standing, without a shirt, and I stood there and drank in His presence. He invited me “Open your arms”.  Slowly, I opened my arms, a bit out to the side, and he took my right arm, stretched it out, held my hand, picked up a ball hammer and a nail, and put the nail to my palm. It hurt, and the blood started to flow, and then I disputed with him “but they say that it must have been in your wrist?” and he grinned, the echoes of “as you wish” in the silence and moved the nail to my wrist. First one side, and then the other, blood streamed, the pain caused me to catch my breath, and then he was behind me and the nail went through him too before it went into the wood.

In the total darkness surrounding us, where He was there was Light. And I knew that was where I wanted to be, in His Light, with Him. And from His place behind me, the both of us fastened there, He said  “You know how to lift up your heart……..now open your arms…live in the wound…..as I do for you and all others. Live in the wound of the world.”

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Via Crucis Grid Blog: World of Your Making Stations 11 & 12

O Lord, Thou didst strike my heart with Thy word, and I did love Thee.

See them strike his hand
Drive the nail into the tree.
Jesus your nails pin down all my selfish thoughts
They stab my guilty conscience and awaken me
to the mystery of your love.

See the crown of thorns
Soldiers stand and watch him bleed
Hear the cold and desperate cry,
"My God, O My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"

O Lord, Thou didst strike my heart with Thy word, and I did love Thee.

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Via Crucis Grid Blog: Surviving the Workday Station 11 & 12

I think it's worth reflecting on the relief that death can bring. No matter if we don't believe in God. No matter if we believe only in the humanity of Jesus. No matter if we believe in the divine spark within all of us.
This is the point in the week where we bear in mind that we will all journey home soon.

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Via Crucis Grid Blog: sententiae et clamores Stations XI & XII

When Jesus is about to die, the land is covered with darkness and after he dies, the earth shakes and the Temple veil is rent. What else could be expected, but the shudder of the world itself upon the death of the incarnated God? The darkest hour in the history of the universe.

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Via Crucis Grid Blog: Complex Christ Station 11 & 12

'It Is Finished'

Death, terror and self-determination.

On this Good Friday, I thought a link to this reflection was appropriate.

Peace.

Death, terror and self-determination.

On this Good Friday, I thought a link to this reflection was appropriate.

Peace.

Via Crucis Grid Blog: Cirque de moi Station 11 & 12

On this Good Friday, I remember why He died. I remember his agony in the garden. Why must we meditate upon his suffering? Why not just recall the Resurrection? For me that answer is simple. I need to recall my part in His death. I need to "see" again my sins that cost Him his life. I need to "feel" the pain that our Lord chose to endure to help me to amend my life and resolve to not commit that sin again, with God's grace. Thank you Lord for all that you have done for me. Help me to live my life completely for you and to embrace the crosses that you have blessed me with.

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