Jesus is arrested and brought before Pontius Pilate by soldiers and Chief Priests. Pilate asks Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?”  Jesus replies, “You say that I am.”  Then Jesus says, “My Kingdom is not of this world.  I have come into the world to bear witness to the Truth.”   Pilate looks at Jesus and asks “What is Truth?”

Yet Pilate knows the truth – that Jesus is not guilty of any crime.  He tells the Chief Priests and crowds that he finds Jesus innocent, but they don’t listen.  They shout for Jesus to be crucified.  Instead of doing what is right, Pilate chooses to ignore the truth to please the people and condemns Jesus to death.

Prayer:  Lord, please help me always to tell the truth, even when I am afraid of the consequences.

It was Roman custom to force the condemned man to carry his cross to the place of execution. Jesus is very tired and in much pain as he takes on the weight of the cross. He knows he has done nothing to deserve being punished and killed, but still he picks up his cross.

Prayer: Lord, as we walk this way together, show me what is my cross to carry, my burden to bear and teach me how to shoulder it with strength and perseverance. Today is the day for me to learn more of what it means for me to take up my cross and follow you.

The sun is hot, and the people line the rocky roads to watch as Jesus walks with his cross.  There is a crown of thorns on his head.  He is weak from hunger and thirst and from being beaten with whips.  People are yelling insults at him.  Suddenly Jesus falls to the ground, because the cross is so heavy.  But Jesus struggles and gets back up.  He does not complain and he does not quit. 

Prayer: As we walk this way together, Lord, teach me not to complain when I am having trouble, nor to give up when my tasks seem hard.  Help me to get up and keep walking the path that is marked out for me.

There are many people in the crowds watching Jesus.  Among them is Mary, his mother.  How difficult it must be to watch as her son is treated with such cruelty.  When he was a little boy, Mary would comfort him when he fell or got hurt, just like our mothers did for us.

But now she cannot stop his pain.  She looks at Jesus with eyes overflowing with compassion and caring.  Mary’s very presence supports her son in his continued journey.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, your life on earth was shaped by a mother who was utterly given over to the will of God in her life. Help me to always respond and act in obedience to your will in my life.

Sometimes the Roman soldiers would pick someone from the crowds to carry the condemned man’s cross.  This was not because they wanted to be nice.  The Roman soldiers would do it because they did not want the prisoner to die before he could be crucified.

Simon of Cyrene is one of the people watching Jesus.  Suddenly, Simon feels the strong arm of a soldier pull him toward the road. He does not want to carry a criminal’s cross!  People may think he is a criminal, too.  But when Simon looks at Jesus, he has a change of heart.

Prayer: Lord, please help me to have the courage to help others, even when no one else wants to .  Help me also learn to recognize the help you send and to humbly receive it when it is given.

Not everyone who is in the crowds want Jesus to die.  Many of his friends are there, as well.  Veronica looks at Jesus and acts with compassion and courage.  She does not let any momentary fear of the soldiers paralyze her.  Veronica pushes her way through the crowd and rushes up to Jesus. She could not stop what was happening that day but she removes her veil and tenderly wipes the sweat and blood from Jesus’ face.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to push the boundaries of my comfort zone.  Help me to see the one small thing I can do for you, and help me to do it before the moment passes.

Even though Jesus has received help along this difficult journey from Simon and Veronica, and encouragement from his mother, Mary, he is exhausted and weak.  Jesus falls a second time on the rough stones and dirt.  The weight of the cross feels oppressive.  Jesus gathers his inner strength and gets back up so he can continue his journey.

Prayer: Lord, give me the grace to see there is no shame in falling because that is the way learning comes.  Help me to understand that falling is not the same as failing.  Teach me how to get up again with dignity and continue in your way.

The Jewish people of Jesus’ time were oppressed by the Romans.  Seeing one of their own condemned to death makes some of the women very sad.  They cry bitterly for Jesus.

Jesus turns to them and says, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but for yourselves and your children.”    He means they should not weep for him since he is not guilty of any sin, but they should weep for all those who are actually sinners.    Jesus show us he was willing to accept any punishment to save sinners from an even worse punishment.

Prayer: Lord, make me truly sorry for my sins.  Allow my sadness to lead me to repentance and true conversion of my heart.  Let me know the comfort promised to those who mourn.

Jesus can barely walk now.  It takes all of his strength to hold up the heavy cross.  His feet begin to drag and then his knees give out , and he falls to the ground again.   Some people in the crowd wonder if he can stand up once more.   Jesus does not complain or give into despair  when the road gets hard.  Once more he stands up to finish his journey.

Prayer:  Lord, please help me to follow your example and not give up because I know you will always be there to help me carry my cross.  Grant me the humility and perseverance to continue falling and rising until I am safely home with you.

Jesus reaches the place where his crucifixion will take place.  Like all condemned criminals he must endure one more humiliation as he is stripped of his clothing. 

Prayer:  Lord, give me the awareness to see how often I strive to protect my own dignity and how I sometimes strip others of their dignity.  Help me root my identity more completely in you and not in worldly possessions. 

Jesus is resolute and committed as he lays himself on top of the cross.  The soldiers stretch out his arms and legs. With huge hammers and deafening blows, they drive the nails through his hands and feet.  The cross is raised and Jesus is left to hang there.

Prayer: Lord, I know that you love me.  Help me to stay close to you.  Show me how  to express your love to my neighbors by caring for them.

For three hours Jesus hung on the cross before he looks up to heaven and says “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”  He takes his last breath and dies.  Suddenly an earthquake shakes the ground.  Rocks are cracked, tombs crash open and the giant veil in the Jewish temple is torn in two.  A Roman soldier facing Jesus says “Truly, this was the Son of God.”

Prayer:  Lord, you willingly gave up everything for me.  I’m sorry you had to die for my sins but I want to live with you and for you.

To make sure Jesus is dead, one of the soldiers takes a spear and pierces his side.  Blood and water flow out.  Jesus’ body is taken down from the cross, wrapped in linen cloth and prepared for burial.

Prayer: Lord, I don’t surrender easily.  Help me to trust in God’s plan and yield more fully to your will in my life.