The main subject of the Paschal Mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ is the Passion/Suffering, Death, and Resurrection. The Passion encompasses Jesus’ physical, spiritual, and mental suffering in the hours leading up to and including his trial and crucifixion. One event that stands out is the “Stations of the Cross,” which portrays various moments from Christ’s passion. There are numerous events that occur during Christ’s passion, including Judas Iscariot’s betrayal, where he exchanged Jesus for thirty silver coins and handed him over to the Sanhedrin priests. The name Judas/Judas Iscariot is often associated with the words “kiss” or “betrayal.”
We are all familiar with the scenario where Jesus’ apostles abandon him during his arrest. Particularly, Peter, who is also one of Jesus’ apostles, denies knowing Jesus three times but later recalls Jesus’ prediction upon hearing the crow of a rooster. These significant events are also depicted in the film Passion of the Christ. This leads us to the First Station: Jesus is condemned to Death. It is well documented that Jesus faced judgment from Pilate, the Roman Governor of that time, who concluded that Jesus was innocent. However, the people at that time were sinful and demanded Jesus’ execution. Consequently, Pilate offered them a choice between saving Barabbas or saving Jesus.
This is the saddest part where the crowd chose Barabbas and send Jesus out to be crucified. Jesus is lashed and crowned with thorns. This shows Injustices (Pilate’s judgement) and how Jesus was humiliated that make me sad when I’m imagining it. Then the Second Station: Jesus carries his Cross; He accepts the entire burden upon his torn and bleeding body that makes me questions why he stay silent. Each movement of the cross drove the thorns deeper into his head. Then the Third Station: Jesus falls the first time, How he fell beneath the cross’ weight, makes me know that he shows me that he understands when I fall.
He had no fear of falling or acknowledging the weight of the cross. In this world, my pride does not allow me to accept those who are not strong, even though I am weak. It is truly disgraceful to admit failure in anything. I desire God’s assistance for myself and others who endeavor to be virtuous, but struggle due to their inherent lack of self-assurance. Through his love for us, he discovered the strength to rise after his descent. This brings us to the Fourth Station: Jesus encounters his anguished mother. It is saddening to realize that his suffering caused Mary immense sorrow. Similar to our own mothers, witnessing our children in agony is an experience no one desires.
Seeing him in such a pitiable state, weak and helpless at the mercy of sinners, is a humiliation for him and exposes his holiness to the evil that lurks. “May God grant endurance to the sick so they can bear the burden of frustration and suffering with love and resignation for the salvation of others.” In the Fifth Station, Simon aids Jesus in carrying his cross, and I imagine Simon unwillingly accepting his share of shame. Little did he know that those who watched and mocked him would fade into obscurity while his name lives on in history and eternity as the one who assisted God in his time of need.
Perhaps Simon represented all those who are despised because of their race, color, or beliefs. Then there is the Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. It is disheartening to think, where were all the countless people whose bodies and souls were healed by him? Where were they when he needed even a small gesture of comfort? My heart is filled with a bittersweet emotion when I recall one woman, Veronica, who overcame her fear and societal expectations to offer him her delicate veil to wipe his bloodied face. His battered visage left an indelible mark on the fabric.
Veronica’s small act of kindness, where she forgets about herself, is commendable. Unlike Veronica, I have been afraid to truly know Jesus. Veronica didn’t mind if everyone knew she loved Him. I wish to have the same soul quality to spread His word and tell people of His love. I desire to have His divine image imprinted on my soul so that my human nature resembles His loving Spirit. This relates to the Seventh Station: Jesus falling a second time. People admired His strength in the face of ridicule, but now He falls again, seemingly conquered by the pain of the Cross. Those who judged Him by appearances made a terrible mistake. His weakness was actually unparalleled strength. I often make the same mistake of judging based on appearances, and it is deceiving.
The text highlights the unjust judgment that society places on those who have given their all but are now in need. Society sees the poor as failures, the sick as useless, and the aged as burdens. This judgment is shown to be incorrect in light of Jesus’ second fall. His weakest moment turned out to be his greatest moment. His failure became his greatest triumph. In the midst of his desolation, he showed his greatest act of love. His lack of strength displayed his greatest show of power. I desire for Jesus, who is both weak and powerful, to grant me the grace to see beyond what is visible and to be more aware of his wisdom even in times of weakness.
Provide joy to the aged, sick, handicapped, retarded, deaf and blind individuals so that they can always appreciate the gift from the Father and recognize the stark contrast between the world’s perception and the Father’s perspective. This will allow them to find pride in their weaknesses and showcase the power of God. The Eighth Station involves Jesus conversing with the holy women; despite experiencing suffering, He doesn’t become self-centered but rather completely forgets Himself. Upon observing the holy women grieving over His torments, He comforts them and encourages them to reflect deeply on His suffering.
The writer wanted to convey that the rejection Jesus faced from the Chosen people was the true evil to lament. The Chosen people, who were distinct from other nations, refused to accept God’s Son. The writer is amazed at Jesus’s compassion for others during His time of need. The writer longs for the various ways in which Jesus appeared, seeing only individuals, circumstances, and human events instead of recognizing the Father’s loving guidance. The writer desires for God to assist those who are discouraged, sick, lonely, and elderly in recognizing His presence among them. This leads to the Ninth Station where Jesus falls for the third time, despite Simon’s assistance.
Jesus may have been suggesting that there will be moments in our lives when we stumble, even with the support of loved ones. His love for us motivated him to endure all sorts of pain so that we could turn to him for guidance and courage. Some individuals tirelessly struggle with alcohol and drug addictions, repeatedly falling despite their efforts. By experiencing his third fall, Jesus hopes to inspire them to find the bravery and determination to carry their own burdens and follow him. The Tenth Station shows how Jesus felt uncomfortable being publicly stripped, highlighting his selfless love for us. He endured pain and sadness, giving everything without expecting anything in return. This leads us to question why detachment is difficult for us. Lastly, the Eleventh Station depicts the unimaginable sight of God being crucified by his own creations. As nails were driven into Jesus’ hands and feet, it raises the possibility that he offered this pain as reparation for specific human weaknesses and sins.
Did the nail in His right hand symbolize those who live lives filled with dissipation and boredom? Did the nail in His left hand seek forgiveness for consecrated souls who lead lukewarm lives? Were His arms extended to show immense love for us? As the feet that walked on scorching, dusty roads were nailed down, did they experience excruciating pain to make amends for those who willingly indulge in sin? Additionally, I would like to include the seven expressions traditionally attributed to Jesus during His crucifixion; these expressions were gathered from the four Canonical Gospels.
The traditional order of the sayings is 1. Father forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34), 2. Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43), 3. Woman, behold your son: behold your mother (John 19:26-27), 4. My God, My God, why have you forsaken me (Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34), 5. I thirst (John 19:28),
6. It is finished (John 19:30) and lastly
7. < b >Father, into your hands I commit my spirit< / b >
(Luke 23:46). These seven sayings are traditionally referred to as words of
1.< b >Forgiveness< / b >,
2.< b >Salvation< / b >,
3.< b >Relationship< / b >,
4.< b >Abandonment< / b >,
5.< b >Distress< / b >,
6.< b >Triumph< / b >
and
7.< b >Reunion< / b>.
At the Twelfth Station, Jesus dies on the Cross, His human body surrendering its soul to death while His divinity displays its power. He prays for forgiveness for our pride and ignorance, as we spend countless hours speculating and days arguing about His death, which remains a mystery. He asks for mercy towards those whose intelligence leads to arrogance, preventing them from seeking solace from the Man of Sorrows.
At the Thirteenth Station, Jesus is taken down from the Cross. Mary cradles Him in her arms and sees the wounds inflicted by sin. Mary Magdalene views His lifeless body with horror. Nicodemus, who initially approached Jesus secretly at night, helps Joseph remove Him from the Cross. Only a small group of followers surround Jesus once again. He desires that all people understand that carrying out God’s will is more important than worldly success. If failure serves our greater good, He asks God to teach us how to use it to our advantage. Jesus declares that doing God’s will sustains Him just as it sustains us.
Do not let the world’s standards possess or destroy the good that God has set for me – to be Holy and fulfill His Will with great love. Embrace both praise and criticism, success and failure, with equal calmness. Now we reach the Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the Sepulcher, symbolizing a stranger’s tomb. Many of us live and die known by only a few. Perhaps He was conveying the importance of our lives simply because we are fulfilling God’s Will. Will we ever understand the lesson of humility that allows us to be content with ourselves, our circumstances, and our identities?
The Resurrection of Jesus occurred three days following his death and burial, leading to his rebirth with a new and magnificent physical form. After a span of forty days, the risen Christ ascended to Heaven, known as the realm of the Father. Presently hidden from our view there, Christ will eventually return in glory to judge both the living and those who have passed away. The Ascension and Exaltation of Christ have granted humanity the certainty of eternal life with God, an unbreakable promise. Through Christ, the Paschal Mystery has justified and reconciled all things with God.
Jesus fulfilled and perfected God’s covenant, demonstrating that God’s love is timeless. It is truly remarkable that Jesus passed away and was laid to rest, and we should be amazed! The grief of Christ’s death smoothly shifts to the joy of the Resurrection during Easter. We adore and exalt you, O Christ, for saving the world through your Holy Cross. May the Lord Jesus, who endured suffering, death, and resurrection, be with us as we pray, reflect upon, and rejoice in the mysterious act of our salvation during Easter. Amen.
