First Station

2005

Songs being used during this celebration

The opening hymn can be found in the red songbook, number 808.

For the first ten stations, we will be singing the traditional hymns sung during the Stations of the Cross.

For the eleventh through the thirteenth stations, we will singing three verses of Were You There?

For the fourteenth station, we will sing the chorus of Shepherd Me O’ God.

Way of the cross is a journey, as our life is. In the name of the Epiphany parish community, I invite you into this special journey: a journey with Jesus, a Journey with Mary, a journey with the beloved disciple, a journey with people throughout the world, throughout the whole history: a journey that many people go through in their homes, in the hospitals and hospices, in the prisons, in the concentration camps, in the war torn places, in the places affected by tsunami and other natural calamities, in the nations and areas affected by terrorism and crime, in the places where people are suffering, and where people come to ease the suffering.

A journey of defeating Satan and establishing the kingdom of God where God’s will is totally obeyed;

A journey of repentance, repenting of all the sins: the sins of betrayal, denial, injustice, violence, ingratitude etc… which all led to the greatest sin in world history, the sin of killing God, the author of life;

A journey of greatest forgiveness for all the crimes committed through out the world.

A journey of suffering, greatest suffering: suffering of spirit, mind and body, suffering in the world, community and personal life., finding meaning and power in suffering by joining our suffering to that of Jesus

A journey of love even through suffering and death: a love revealed through forgiving, obeying, respecting, caring, consoling, valuing, serving, healing…

A journey of communion, compassion and solidarity: communion with God by total obedience until death, compassion toward the suffering world, and solidarity with those who cry out for justice;

A journey of sacrifice: the greatest sacrifice. A sacrifice of total obedience to the will of God and total selfless love toward the whole humanity. When Pontius Pilot declared Jesus innocent three times and then condemned Him to be crucified, he was acting like the High priest who had to declare three times that the lamb is without blemish before offering it as sacrifice

Way of the cross may seem to be our entering the passion of Christ. But it is more the experience of Jesus entering the passion of each one of us and of the whole humanity, everywhere, in all ages.

When we are journeying with him to his death, he is journeying us to our resurrection. When we journey with Jesus taking up our cross, our burdens are lightened, our tears are wiped away, our wounds are healed, and our sins are forgiven. We die to all that is sinful and evil and we resurrect to all that is pure and divine.

Come let us take up our cross, rather than be taken up by the cross, and follow Him in this journey with Mary the mother of God and the beloved disciple.

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Priest: Let us begin this holy journey with Jesus ?in the name of the Father and ? the Son and ? the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father, out of the abundance of your love, you invite us to join your beloved Son in his journey of suffering and death into the joyful experience of resurrection. As we join Jesus in the way of the cross together with Mary our heavenly mother, may we experience his presence, perspective and power in all our sufferings and throughout our life. Renew us, redeem us, restore us, transform us, and empower us through the Holy Spirit who was active in Jesus’ life from the moment of conception till his Resurrection and Ascension. Grant us courage and the faith to surrender our life totally into your care and to live our life in accordance with your divine will and in love for the whole humanity. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Song

passion presentation

A reading from Prophet Isaiah 53: 7-8

He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn't say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence. Justice miscarried, and he was led off–and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people.

Reflection

After being abandoned and betrayed by His disciples, Jesus was wrongfully convicted and condemned to die. When I am wrongfully treated by others am I able to look beyond to see God’s plan and his working even through what others are doing against me? Am I more prone to judge people than understand them with compassion? How do I deal with the prophets in my life: judge and condemn them or repent and respond to their message?

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Lord, when we act with a condemning spirit, we offer rejection to the very people to whom we should be offering fellowship in your mystical Body. Merciful Judge of all the living and the dead, grant us the grace and patience to face the trials of our lives without judging others. Amen

Song

passion presentation

A reading from prophet Isaiah 53: 4-6

Surely he has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Reflection

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Am I taking up the cross or allowing myself to be taken up by the cross? Do I place a cross upon others with my demands and commands arising from my pride, selfishness, envy or anger or do I try to lighten their burdens through my understanding words, deeds and dealings?

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we thank you for transforming the cross from a tool of persecution into an instrument of our redemption by accepting it with love and obedience. Give us the grace that we may join our crosses to yours, and thus experience the salvation you wrought for us and participate in your redemptive work for the whole humanity. Amen

Song

passion presentation

A reading from second Corinthians 4:8-10

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

Reflection

Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand (Ps. 37:23-24). I suffer many setbacks and failures in my life, which test my faith. Do I doubt my faith when times get tough? When I have fallen, do I collect my cross and continue or do I abandon it in despair?

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Jesus, your cross is real, difficult and heavy. Give us the grace to reject discouragement, and just like you get up and pick up our cross again. We ask for the grace to embrace this life of faith, that we may preach with our lives and teach in the apostolate the truth of your redemptive suffering. Amen

Song

passion presentation

A reading from prophet Isaiah 66:13

As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem

Reflection

Mary was the only human person who was with Jesus all through his life on earth: from conception to death. She did not consider what the Roman guards would do when she went to comfort, her Son, our Savior. Do my actions display my love for Jesus rather than a desire for worldly possessions, and personal comfort? Am I willing to put the needs of others before my own?

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Lord, we ask You to forgive our sins of apathy and self-centeredness. Fill our hearts with charity, and make us more pure in thought, gentle in word, and generous in deed. Mary, our heavenly Mother, intercede for us to your beloved Son, and comfort us as you comforted Him. Amen

Song

passion presentation

A reading from the gospel of Mark 15:21

And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.

Reflection

Everything Simon needed to help were gifts from God: his strength, the time it took, even being in that particular place at that particular time. But Simon did not want to use his gifts willingly to help. He had to be compelled. Am I ready to use my time, talents and treasure to alleviate the sufferings of others? Am I willing to walk with Jesus? Am I ready to help?

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

God, our loving Father, help us to recognize that everything we have is a gift from you. Help us to be aware of the needs around us and “bear each others’ burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal.6:2). May we understand and embrace your words: “Amen, I say to you, as long as you did it for one of these, the least of my brothers, you did it for me.” (Mt. 25:40). Amen

Song

passion presentation

A reading from second Chronicles 7:14

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Reflection

When Veronica was courageous and compassionate enough to wipe the bloody and sweaty face of Jesus, she allowed the glory of His face to shine. Mother Teresa saw the face of Jesus in everyone, especially in those who are hard to look at: the lepers, the homeless, and the abandoned. Am I committed to wipe away sadness and suffering with love and compassion to reveal the face of Jesus in everyone?

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Lord Jesus, people are disfigured through poverty, sickness and sorrow. Many times we disfigure the face of others through our calumny and gossip. Help us Lord, rather to unravel the goodness and glory in each other through our unconditional love, acceptance, respect and service. Amen

Song

passion presentation

A reading from second Corinthians 12:9-10

…but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Reflection

In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. (Psalm 18:6) In which areas of my life am I falling again and again? When I fall, do I concentrate on my weakness and slip into despair instead of turning to Jesus for the strength to get up again? Do I trust in the Lord to help me endure till the end?

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Dear Father in Heaven, relying on your merciful love and trusting in your infinite power we want to get up from our failures and go forward in life according to your plan and purpose. Forgive us our sins, release us from our addictions and liberate us from the power of evil through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen. Amen

Song

passion presentation

A reading from the gospel Luke 23:27-28

And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

Reflection

Jesus, even in his most terrible moment, was not thinking of himself or of his suffering. He reminded the women that it is not enough for them to weep for Jesus, but to weep for them and their children. Am I too engrossed in my religious observance as to forget those suffering around me? When I hear about suffering of people, do I try to help, or do I ignore the problem, hoping that it will go away?

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we look with repentance at all the defenseless children, both seen and unseen, who have been bruised by our selfishness, beaten down by our anger and broken by our indifference. Blessed Holy Spirit of piety, possess our hearts and inspire us to love and respect, for Jesus sake, all of humanity’s children who are consecrated to God. Amen

Song

passion presentation

A reading from first corinthians 10:12-13

So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Reflection

The love of God is so much greater than all my sins, sufferings and problems, that even if I fall again and again, I can still get up with His power. Christ fell often, but persevered to the end. Can I say the same for the crosses I am called upon to bear each day?

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Lord, please forgive us for the times in our lives when we failed to carry our cross to the end of the journey. Living in defeat may seem appealing, but it never gives glory to you or fulfillment of our life. Grant us patience and perseverance that we may pick up our cross and continue as you did. Amen

Song

passion presentation

A reading from Ephesians 4:22-24

Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Reflection

Jesus said, be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect (Mt.5:48). Do I adorn myself with robes of righteousness and glory in Christ, or am I content with the tattered rags of sin and shame?

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Lord, I stand before you battered and broken, ashamed and abandoned, tarnished by sin. Cleanse me of my sin and clothe me in righteousness. Help me to “put on the whole armor of God, that I may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6:11) Help me to reveal my true self created in your image and likeness for your glory. Amen

Song

passion presentation

A reading from Galatians 2:19-20

For through the law I have died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Reflection

People are nailed and paralyzed in life through their addictions, afflictions and possessions. What are the things that keep me nailed and paralyzed? What things keep me from responding to God wholeheartedly, loving people generously and living life abundantly?

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Lord, release us from the addictions, afflictions and possessions that keep us from living our life to the full and protect us from nailing others with our false expectations, judgments, attitudes and unforgiving hearts. Amen

Song

passion presentation

praying the words from the cross

· “Eli, Eli, la’ma sabach-tha’ni?” that is, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

· “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

all together

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen

Song

passion presentation

A reading from the gospel of Luke 2:48

And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.”

Reflection

Mary cradling the wounded and lifeless body of her son, finally presented Jesus to God the Father. How are my relationships with family and friends? Do I cling to them or make them cling to me, rather than allow them to live their lives according to God’s plan realizing that each one of us primarily belongs to God and his kingdom?

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Father, fill us with your Grace, Word and Power that we may, like Mary, totally surrender our family and friends as well as ourselves to your love and will. Amen

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Song

passion presentation

A reading from Romans 8: 11

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you.

Reflection

I need to bury all that is dead, so that I may rise with Christ to the fullness of life, light and Glory. What are the fears, grudges, sorrows, shame and guilt in my life that I need to bury with Christ?

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are the way, the truth and the life. Call us out of the tombs we are buried in and lead us from Darkness to Light, from untruth to truth, and from death to life. Amen

Song

God our Father, we thank you for revealing your great love for us by giving your only Son as our Savior. Jesus Christ, our savior and Lord, we thank you for coming into our world with the greatest love and achieving our redemption through your suffering and death. God the Holy Spirit, we thank you for filling our hearts with your divine love and sanctifying us through the way of the cross. O God, through our experience of this journey with Jesus may we continue to grow in your grace and love for one another. May we find meaning and power in our suffering and proceed with hope and courage to the fulfillment of your kingdom. Strengthen us Lord, along our journey as we strive to be ambassadors of your kingdom in the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

Priest: May Almighty God bless you ?the Father and ? the Son and ? the Holy Spirit.

Way of the Cross (Via Crucis or Via Dolorosa, stations of the Cross, Way of Christ’s Sorrows, as it is variously called) is a devotion that goes back to the beginnings of Christianity. This is a journey well esteemed by the Church since it has retained a living memory of the words and gestures of the final earthly days of Jesus, her Spouse and Lord.

Its basis is in Jesus as he carried his cross from the Court of Pontius Pilate to Calvary and in His invitation to his followers to take up their cross daily and follow him (Luke. 9:23).

Tradition tells us that Mary, after joining Jesus in the first way of the Cross, retraced the way many times, the road sanctified by his suffering and consecrated by his blood, with love, sorrow and prayer.

All the four Gospels witness to this devotion through the passion narratives (Mt. 26-27; Mk. 14-15, Lk.22-23; Jn. 18-19) which are the longest continuous narratives in each. They were used by the earliest Christians to remember and meditate on the passion of Christ to gain strength to face persecutions.

Over the years, different devotions related to the passion of the Lord developed in different places in different forms:

- The pilgrimage to the Holy Land during which the faithful devoutly visit the places associated with the Lord's Passion;

- Erecting of stations of the cross in different places in Europe as replicas of those along the true way of the cross, so that people who were not able to go to the Holy Land will have the experience of the same

- Devotion to "the dolorous journey of Christ" which consisted in processing from one church to another in memory of Christ's Passion

- Devotion to the stations of Christ, those places where Christ stopped on his journey to Calvary obliged by his executioners or exhausted by fatigue, or moved by compassion to dialogue with those who were present at his Passion

- The idea of life as a journey or pilgrimage, as a passage from earthly exile to our true home in Heaven. This idea has its beginnings in the Old Testament, especially in the journey of Abraham from his homeland, the Exodus experience of Israel, and the return of the Jews from the Exile;

- the demands of following Christ, which imply that his disciples must follow behind the Master, daily carrying their own crosses (Luke. 9:23)

The Way of the Cross in which hymns, silence, procession and reflective pauses are wisely integrated in a balanced manner, contribute significantly to obtaining the spiritual fruits of the pious exercise.

A good way to profit from this traditional devotion is through imaginative meditation. Specifically, use your imagination to be present as Christ walks to Calvary. See yourself as a participant, rather than merely an onlooker. You can even take the role of Christ in your meditation to feel and experience what he went through for us. You can use the images in the church, chapel or shrine as a template to help you start your visualization.

Station	Avoid Sin	Overcome Suffering	Practice Virtue
I	Condemnation	Rejection	Patience
II	Burdening Others	Oppression	Solidarity
III	Pride	Depression	Diligence
IV	Abandonment	Loneliness	Charity
V	Apathy	Inadequacy	Humility
VI	Selfishness	Helplessness	Courage
VII	Despair	Doubt	Trust
VIII	Self Righteousness	Frustration	Piety
IX	Giving up	Defeated	Perseverance
X	Ridiculing	Humiliation	Respect
XI	Violence	Physical Suffering	Endurance
XII	Murder	Agony	Love
XIII	Indifference	Grief	Compassion
XIV	Fear	Isolation	Hope

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Priest: Let us begin this holy journey with Jesus ?in the name of the Father and ? the Son and ? the Holy Spirit.

Song

First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death

passion presentation

A reading from Prophet Isaiah 53: 7-8

Reflection

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Song

Second Station: Jesus Accepts His Cross

passion presentation

A reading from prophet Isaiah 53: 4-6

Reflection

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Song

Third Station: Jesus Falls for the first time

passion presentation

A reading from second Corinthians 4:8-10

Reflection

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Song

Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His afflicted Mother

passion presentation

A reading from prophet Isaiah 66:13

Reflection

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Song

Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross

passion presentation

A reading from the gospel of Mark 15:21

Reflection

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Song

Sixth Station: Veronica offers her veil to Jesus

passion presentation

A reading from second Chronicles 7:14

Reflection

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Song

Seventh Station: Jesus Falls for the Second Time

passion presentation

A reading from second Corinthians 12:9-10

Reflection

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Song

Eighth Station: Jesus consoles the holy Women of Jerusalem

passion presentation

A reading from the gospel Luke 23:27-28

Reflection

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Song

Ninth Station: Jesus Falls for the Third Time

passion presentation

A reading from first corinthians 10:12-13

Reflection

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Song

Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of his garments

passion presentation

A reading from Ephesians 4:22-24

Reflection

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Song

Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

passion presentation

A reading from Galatians 2:19-20

Reflection

Let us Pray: [all Stand]

Prayer

Song