Three Reflections on the Stations of the Cross

This week, I take the opportunity to reflect on the Stations of the Cross. Over the past decades, Christians have had the joy and honor of walking the passion of Jesus Christ by praying the Stations of the Cross. There are 14 stations. Each station highlights a particular passion of Jesus Christ. At the same time, each station invites us to embrace the passion of Christ in gratitude and grace for our redemption. Praying the stations of the cross puts us in the context of our salvation and in the redeeming action of Jesus Christ. The stations of the cross have several benefits, which I reflect on here.

First: Stations give HOPE. Pope Francis speaking to the youth at World Youth Day in Poland said, “Those who take up this way with generosity and faith, give hope to the future and to humanity. Those who take up this way with generosity and faith, sow seeds of hope. I want you to be sowers of hope.” It is beautiful that we become a source of hope. In our current world, this is so much needed. Let us give hope and plant more seeds of hope by praying the stations.

Second: Stations symbolically embrace Jerusalem. St. John Paul II said the Way of the Cross is walking the path of Jesus “from the praetorium of Pontius Pilate to the summit of Calvary". This “WAY” is truly the manner of Christian life. One that is humble, focused on obedience to the Father, and ultimately to the renewed life of the resurrection. To pray the Way of the Cross, the Stations, embraces the new Jerusalem, which is the Church, which prefigures the Heavenly Jerusalem we all await.

Lastly: Stations unite us with the Blessed Virgin Mary. As we walk the stations of the cross, we realize the presence of Mary. Of her, St. John Paul II said, “She stood on the hill of Golgotha as the Mother of the dying Son, as the Disciple of the Teacher of truth, as the New Eve standing beneath the tree of life, as the woman of sorrow, the companion of the “man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” (Is 53:3), Daughter of Adam, Our Sister of Peace … As the Mother of Mercy, she bends over her children who still face dangers and exhaustion, to see their sufferings, to hear the cry arising from their afflictions, to bring them comfort and to renew their hope of peace”. We are blessed during our prayers of the Stations.

The Stations giving us hope, uniting us with Calvary, and consoling us through Mary, comprise in our very presence a devotion necessary in our day. I encourage you to make time to pray the Stations of the Cross. To consider this way of hope, union, and consolation. To encourage it in your family.

“We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. Because, by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world”.

Jesus thy kingdom come! In my heart through Mary!  ~Fr. Gabriel