The Seventh Station ~ Jesus Falls the Second Time

A PRE-MEDITATED CRIME is one in which every detail of the scene is scrupulously thought out beforehand: all possibilities are anticipated, all the potential problems  resolved in the imagination. And so to meditate is simply to fix my mind on the gospel scene - perhaps to take up a role in the sacred drama and to let it unfold in my mind, even in the details: the touch of Jesus, the words of Jesus, the look of Jesus. 

How often we lament, "I'm having such hard time these days." And then we tell the sad tale: the injuries suffered, the disappointing failure, the unwanted responsibilities, the money or health woes, the over-burdening requests, the self-doubting, the beckoning of the past. 

There is really only one thing for the Christian to do: get beneath the cross with Jesus and carry at least a little piece of the wood with him. Or if that won't do, at least walk alongside Jesus in my mind as he does the work for me. After awhile, I'll see how much stronger I am beside Jesus - stronger than I ever imagined!

"Do not let your hearts be troubled," Jesus said to the apostles before they left for the Garden of Gethsemane, (John 14:1)

Silence

Our Father Who Art in Heaven...

Hail Mary full of grace...

Glory be to the Father...

March 10 ~ The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

THE NUMBER FORTY IS A HOLY NUMBER. Often it means a great or long time, as in spending a long time with God or God working over a long time. Today is the feast of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, Armenia. The feast was dropped from the liturgical calender in the reforms of 1969. I won't side-track by opion-ating about that. Rather....

While the Emperor Constantine legitimized Christianity, Licius was one of those more local imperial rulers who rejected it, and even required all of his soldiers to worship idols. A group of forty Christian elite soldiers set themselves apart and refused to abandon their Christianity. As enticements they were offered pay-raises, promotions and other benefits, but they persisted in their refusal.

Licius had them imprisoned, threatened and beaten - they remained steadfast. Finally he had them thrown naked onto a frozen pond in the depths of winter. Baths were placed around the perimeter of the ice to entice them to renege. While they prayed ardently to maintain the number forty, one left the group, but a soldier who guarded the group, edified by their strength, joined the group restoring the number to forty.

It took them three days of die of exposure. They continually prayed  the 91st Psalm. In Nigeria where Christians are targeted, an American group asked, "What can we give you; what do you need?" They answered, "Send us black clergy shirts so we can see our priests when we are being killed." Stunning.

It is said that the Forty Martyrs sang the 91st psalm throughout the ordeal We might pray this psalm as well in our own trials and burden-carrying. It is very beautiful and featured in the movie A Trip to Bountiful, with Geraldine Page. A must-see.

He who dwells under the shelter of the Most High,
Who abides under the shadow of the Almighty,
Says of the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress,My God, in whom I trust."

For he rescues you from the snare of the fowler,
From the deadly pestilence;
With his pinions he covers you,
And under his wings you find refuge.
His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Not the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Nor the devastating plague that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side.
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it will not come near you.
You will but gaze upon with your eyes
And see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord your refuge.
And the Most High your habitation.
No disaster will befall you,
Nor calamity come near your tent.

For he will give his angels charge over you,
To guard you in all your ways.
They will bear you up upon their hands,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Upon the lion and the viper you will tread;
Upon the young lion and the dragon you may trample.

Because he cling fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will set him on high because he knows my name.
When he calls upon me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in time of trouble;
I will set him free and honor him,
With long life I will content him,
And show him my salvation.

The Sixth Station ~ Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

VERONICA HAS CROSSED THE LINE. She has no business approaching a condemned man. And to be offering him the comfort of a towel! She's breaking all the rules. 

Jesus told the parable of the farmer who planted his field by throwing seed everywhere by the fistful  (Matthew 13:4-9). It seems that most of the seed was lost as it landed on the path where the birds ate it up. Some seed fell where the thorn bushes choked it out. Other seed landed where the soil was thin and the roots hit the rock shelf and it was killed by the sun. But at least some of the seed fell where there was good soil, and it grew very nicely and produced an abundant crop.

Surely the good seed of Jesus' Word fell in Veronica's heart as she was moved to such a brave love.

Oh Jesus, make my heart like a field of good ground, where your Word of life and light can take root. Make me fruitful - abundant in tender but brave good works.

Silence

Our Father Who Art in Heaven...

Hail Mary full of grace...

Glory be to the Father...