Way of the Cross: Second Station

Jesus accepts the cross
V. We adore you, O Christ and praise you.
R. Because by Your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading

From the Passion according to Mark

And the soldiers led him inside the courtyard, which is the praetorium. And they call together the whole cohort. And they clothe him in purple and place on him a thorny wreath which they wove. And they began to acclaim him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews.’ And they started to beat his head with a reed; and they were spitting on him and they were kneeling down and worshipping him. And when they had mocked him, they took the purple off him, and put his own clothes on him. And they take him out to crucify him.

Meditation

It wasn’t enough for the soldiers to nail Jesus to the cross. They felt the need to torment and torture him first. Were they taking out the frustrations of their own lives on this helpless victim? Were they driven by some misguided sense of camaraderie and being part of a group? Have you been tempted to be part of such a group? Have you wanted to fit in so much you could not hear your conscience?

Prayer

Jesus, our King, you asked the Father to forgive the people who hurt you, who humiliated you. You said they did not know what they were doing. We too do not always know what we are doing. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to forgive.

Close

All: Our Father …
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword had pass'd.
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