When you pray the Stations of the Cross this year, consider using these images and prayers.
The following pictures were created by local Arapaho artists from the Wind River Reservation. The St. Stephens Indian Mission is a parish of the Diocese of Cheyenne and is located in St. Stephens, Wyoming. It serves the people of the Wind River Indian Reservation.
In these stations Jesus us depicted with the spirit of a white eagle hovering protectively close to his body instead of the traditional halo. The eagle, respected for its size, strength and keen movement in flight, is an integral part of Indian culture. The dove, suspended over Veronica and Mary, represents love, peace and tenderness. This blending of symbols will help us visualize and accept the fact that Jesus’ way to death is our way to life. May these stations expand and explore the deeper meaning of pain and suffering in our daily lives. May we be stimulated by faith to action and inspired to fight oppression, violence and injustice wherever we meet them.
Loving and merciful God, may this Way of the Cross become for us our way to you. Jesus told us to pick up the cross and follow him. As we begin this journey with Jesus leading the way, strengthen and encourage us to see your great love and compassion for those whom we will meet along the way, especially those to whom Jesus was close: the poor, the sick, the homeless, the unjustly accused, the downtrodden, those unacceptable to polite society, the sinner. Lord God, may we who call upon you for mercy and compassion find mercy and compassion along this Way of the Cross and at journey’s end. Amen.
Station One – Jesus is Condemned to Death Jesus, the innocent one, stands denounced and alone. He listens in quiet dignity to his accusers and responds in silence. No need for words. The powerful are intrigued by him but threatened, too. He has been making waves, questioning the status quo. He must die. For those unjustly accused; For those who willingly fight for justice and peace; For the “wave makers” who expose unjust social structures and work to change them: Lord, give us the power to stand firm.
Station Two – Jesus Accepts His Cross “Accept the things I cannot change.” Jesus faces brutal hatred with gentle serenity. His battered, bruised body cannot fight the forces of evil. By accepting the cross he shows an inner strength proving that his power comes from his Father. That power will change hatred into love. Jesus refuses to compromise. He knows who he is and what he stands for and is willing to die for it. For the courage to not run away from difficulties; For the strength to be powerless and totally dependent on Jesus; for the serenity to join our sufferings to those of Jesus; Lord, help us to accept what we cannot change.
Station Three: Jesus Falls the First Time Staggering under the weight of the cross, Jesus struggles to maintain his balance. Perhaps a small stone proves too much and he comes crashing to the ground. It’s the little things that sometimes prove insurmountable in our lives and we stumble and fall. It may be a thoughtless remark, a perceived slight, an unreturned smile, that can plunge us into resentment, anger and suspicion. Each fall can teach us more about ourselves and our relationship with others. For those who seek fame, fortune and success at the expense of their neighbors; For those who idolize power, riches and prestige; For those addicted to and controlled by drugs, alcohol, and destructive behaviors; Lord, raise us up from pettiness.
Station Four: Jesus Meets His Mother The look of love that passes between Jesus and Mary speaks volumes This son, who changed water into wine, cured the sick, fed the hungry and treated all with dignity and respect, is now hounded like a common criminal. Words seem hopelessly out of place an only a touch, a look could reach those inner depths where love resides. Thus Mary and Jesus look at each other and trust the mystery. She, too, dies a little. For all the mothers and fathers who reach out to their rebellious children; For all caught up in the utter pain of helplessness; For families of suicide victims and others trapped by despair; Lord, let us ponder mystery in our hearts.
Station Five: Simon Helps Jesus Simon is a reluctant “volunteer.” He doesn’t want to be associated with a criminal. Being an outsider with a strong body he could easily be bullied by the soldiers to help this accused man to his death. As he plods alongside Jesus he begins to realize the inner strength and goodness of this man. Simon’s life changes completely simply because he helped a man carry his cross. For the hopeless, the helpless, the ones who stand alone; For those suffering from mental, physical or psychological problems; For those trapped in darkness of unbelief; Lord, help us bear each others’ burdens.
Station Six: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus Braving the scorn, ridicule, roughness of the soldiers and the unruly crowd. Veronica reaches out and touches the face of Jesus – wiping away the tears, spittle and blood. This woman has one simple goal: to give comfort to this man who touched so many lives with love. She doesn’t care what happens to her – compassion draws her to him. Jesus recognizes her kindness and then moves on. For the timid who know but are afraid to stand up for what is right; For the ordinary people who wipe away tears and fears of others without publicity or recognition; For those who minister to the sick and dying with great sensitivity; Lord, let our kindness wipe away our fear.
Station Seven: Jesus Falls the Second Time All the pushing, shoving and jostling of the soldiers and the crowd cause Jesus to trip and fall again. He is brutally raised and pushed forward. His encounter with Veronica gives him strength to pick himself up and move on. When our best intentions go awry; When we choose darkness over light; When we let false values gain control of our lives; Lord, pick us up when we fall.
Station Eight: Jesus Speaks to the Weeping Women These women respond with beautiful compassion towards Jesus. Their hearts are breaking and their tears are real. But Jesus doesn’t want them to wallow in self-pity or despair. Instead, he admonishes them go home and show compassion to their families, teach their children the way of love, weep for them, for they are young and defenseless. For all the little ones totally dependent on adults for nurturing love; For parents that their words and example be life-giving and spirit filled; For all the victims of physical, spiritual, mental or sexual abuse; Lord, let us teach our children well.
Station Nine: Jesus Falls the Third Time This third fall signals that the end is near. All the mockery, sneering and violent pulling of the soldiers cannot make a broken body strong enough to go on. Jesus can no longer support himself as he lurches forward into the dirt – Face down. Hatred grabs, violates and finally overpowers. When the power of evil seems to have the upper hand and defeat seems inevitable; When life appears unmanageable and chaos reigns; When we stray from the path of truth; Lord, lend me your hand.
Station Ten: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments Our privacy is an expression of our dignity. Imagine the horror and shame Jesus feels when he is stripped naked with cruelty and rudeness. He can only close his eyes, hold up his head and look inward for understanding. Forgive us those moments when we choos to clothe ourselves in deceit and lies; Forgive us when we are more concerned about looking good rather than being good; Forgive us when we look for love in the wrong places; Lord, expose our wrong self.
Station Eleven: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross The unspeakable horror of this moment: the sound of this act will reverberate through the centuries. Jesus’ moans are muted and drowned out by the howls of hatred. Violence has once again overpowered innocence. For those nailed to sin by selfishness; For those who are insensitive to the pain and suffering of others; For those who have lost everything through war and persecution; For those riddled with prejudice, bigotry and racism; Lord, free us from all guilt.
Station Twelve: Jesus Dies on the Cross This is the moment of abject rejection when even his Father seems absent. Yet Jesus continues to reach out to his mother and his friend. The love of Jesus embraces the world and gathers up our sobs as he cries out “It is finished.” Forgive us for our refusal to live and love as Jesus taught; Forgive us for not trusting in your goodness; Forgive us for accepting your truth; Forgive us for not recognizing the dignity and worth of each person; Father, through your Son you have saved the world.
Station Thirteen: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross Once more Mary cradles her son. She holds close his lifeless body and ponders the meaning of these last tragic hours. Does she understand what his giving means for all time, for all people? For now, it is too much. Only time will unravel this great mystery. For those overwhelmed with grief at the loss of a loved one; For the grace to accept life as a mystery lived in God; For the grace of total abandonment to God’s will; O Lord, into your hands.
Station Fourteen: Jesus is Laid to Rest How carefully the bruised, battered body of Jesus is cleaned, anointed and wrapped in linen. At last Mary lays him to rest, as she has done so often in the past. Friends gather and weep over the loss of this beloved Son, this treasured friend. The pain sears and burrows deep into the earth of their broken hearts, their shattered dreams. Death is not the final answer. Healing and peace will come, but not yet. Now they are plunged into the darkness of unknowing, questioning and loss. For those who have died unknown and without mourning; For those in the throes of death; That Jesus’ life and death be a source of hope that touches our lives each day; Lord, be it done according to your will.
The Resurrection The men are cowering in the upper room overwhelmed with grief, fear and trepidation. Their lofty dreams and hopes crushed by the events of the last few days.
The women are frightened, bewildered and trembling. They have come early to anoint the body of Jesus only to find the tomb empty. In the depths of their desolation they hear: “Why are you weeping? Whom do you seek? He is risen. Don’t be afraid. Peace, it is I.” Jesus is alive! Grief is replaced by unimaginable joy.
The miracle of the Resurrection occurs in the midst of family, friends and disciples. The wondrous appearance of Jesus and the coming of his spirit transform timid, fearful men and women into brave, courageous and valiant followers. They finally understand that Jesus’ death was his moment of triumph, the cross his glorification.
Today w, the present day followers of Jesus, are asked to carry the good news of Jesus’ resurrection to all we meet and to be good news for all those God puts in our lives. Jesus asks us to forgive, to be patient, to love, to trust him and not be afraid.
Yes!!! Christ has died, Christ is risen. Christ reigns in our hearts.
By this shall everyone know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:35)
Messages and Images: A Disciple's Journey 