Third Station - Jesus falls for the first time
(Weakness opening to acceptance)
(Weakness opening to acceptance)
Scripture Reading
He has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole. (Is 53:4-5)
But in this fall, crushed by the weight of the cross and sheer fatigue, Jesus once more becomes the Teacher of life. He teaches us to accept our weaknesses, not to be disheartened by our failures, and frankly to acknowledge our limits: I can will what is right – says Saint Paul – but I cannot do it (Rom 7:18).
He has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole. (Is 53:4-5)
But in this fall, crushed by the weight of the cross and sheer fatigue, Jesus once more becomes the Teacher of life. He teaches us to accept our weaknesses, not to be disheartened by our failures, and frankly to acknowledge our limits: I can will what is right – says Saint Paul – but I cannot do it (Rom 7:18).
Reflection
My Sweet Jesus, I see you fallen. There is no help from the executioners. They are kicking you. The people around you have no idea what to do. You are flat on the ground and the cross on your holy body. What were you thinking my Jesus?
Jesus Speaks
My Son / Daughter, yes I was flat on the ground and the ground was rough. I was thinking of the hardness of peoples’ hearts, and the cruel words of the people. When I heard them say “Crucify Him” I was astonished. They didn’t remember that the world was created by the WORD my Father. Words have power; both Constructive and Destructive. Today most words I hear are destructive. These words have power to destroy and disturb the connection with my Father. I was so blessed because my connection with Him was not broken. I saw people rejoice and delight on my suffering. How can that be? Rejoice in one’s suffering, laugh when others fall, gossip on people’s weaknesses? These were not the thoughts I had. Since I was focusing on my Father and the Father was accepting me, I was able to stand.
Personnel Reflection
Jesus I understand my weakness when I see you fall. We can simply say our destructive words, gossip and envy and let you fall again. Most of the time we let others down, by our words. Sometimes we say “I didn’t really mean it.” The problem is right there. We talk before we think and we act on our words; we don’t think how much it might hurt the other person. Especially in the digital media today, we send messages and don’t even accept responsibility and let people suffer. We call it “Freedom of Talk”.
Sweet Jesus we see the suffering even today through the Media. But it is merely news for us. We don’t even think of saying a prayer for those victims of the war, those who were beheaded for their faith, and those who die in hunger or in any other situation. Instead we ask “God where are you?” We don’t realize that we have given ourselves to the “culture of death”.
Jesus, grant us the grace to use our words to help others joyfully. Soften our hearts at least to say a prayer when we see the suffering of other people. Accept others with love in our hearts.
My Sweet Jesus, I see you fallen. There is no help from the executioners. They are kicking you. The people around you have no idea what to do. You are flat on the ground and the cross on your holy body. What were you thinking my Jesus?
Jesus Speaks
My Son / Daughter, yes I was flat on the ground and the ground was rough. I was thinking of the hardness of peoples’ hearts, and the cruel words of the people. When I heard them say “Crucify Him” I was astonished. They didn’t remember that the world was created by the WORD my Father. Words have power; both Constructive and Destructive. Today most words I hear are destructive. These words have power to destroy and disturb the connection with my Father. I was so blessed because my connection with Him was not broken. I saw people rejoice and delight on my suffering. How can that be? Rejoice in one’s suffering, laugh when others fall, gossip on people’s weaknesses? These were not the thoughts I had. Since I was focusing on my Father and the Father was accepting me, I was able to stand.
Personnel Reflection
Jesus I understand my weakness when I see you fall. We can simply say our destructive words, gossip and envy and let you fall again. Most of the time we let others down, by our words. Sometimes we say “I didn’t really mean it.” The problem is right there. We talk before we think and we act on our words; we don’t think how much it might hurt the other person. Especially in the digital media today, we send messages and don’t even accept responsibility and let people suffer. We call it “Freedom of Talk”.
Sweet Jesus we see the suffering even today through the Media. But it is merely news for us. We don’t even think of saying a prayer for those victims of the war, those who were beheaded for their faith, and those who die in hunger or in any other situation. Instead we ask “God where are you?” We don’t realize that we have given ourselves to the “culture of death”.
Jesus, grant us the grace to use our words to help others joyfully. Soften our hearts at least to say a prayer when we see the suffering of other people. Accept others with love in our hearts.