Reminder for the 5th Sunday in Lent, March 26, 2023

Stations of the Cross -  Good Friday

Station

Focus

Application

1

Jesus is condemned to death

For all those who have been condemned to die

Innocent people have been condemned to die.  We are blessed in this community – we have health care and food when we need it.  Many people die because they do not have access to doctors, nurses, clean water.  Let us pray for those in need of these most basic resources.  Let us pray for those who are suffering from Covid-19.  Let us also pray for those unjustly condemned to die or spend their life imprisoned.  Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord hear our prayer.

2

Jesus is given his cross

For all of us that we may bear our cross with acceptance

We all have our crosses – physical, emotional, economic. We deal with the pot holes in our journey  as best we can and with the help of our family and friends.  Right now we are dealing with staying home and being isolated.  Let us pray that we can help others who need our friendship to help them to carry their cross.  Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord hear our prayer.

3

Jesus falls the first time

For all of us who have failed

We all fall down along the way.  Sometimes we fail because of things out of our control and sometimes because of things within our control.   Let us pray for peace during our current staying at home.  Let us pray for patience with ourselves as well as a renewed conviction to try again.  Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, hear our prayer.

4

Jesus meets his mother

For our mothers and other significant women in our lives

Mothers hold a special place in our life's journey.  We ask a lot from them and have great expectations of them.  Let us pray for the mothers of the world that they have the strength and love to do what is needed for their children and that they are loved in return.  Let us pray for all those who have lost their mothers.  Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, hear our prayer.

5

Simon of Cyrene carries the cross

For people who help us when we are in need

We all need help at one time or another.  We are also given the opportunity to help others.  Let us pray for the humility to accept help when we need it.  Let us also pray that we may see where we can help.  Maybe a phone call is exactly what someone needs these days.   Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, hear our prayer.

6

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

For all the care givers

Care giving can be rewarding and also exhausting.  May those who care take with love the elderly, the infirmed, the young, the poor, relatives and strangers know that they are appreciated for their care giving.  May we be grateful for our doctors, nurses and front line health care people especially at this time.  Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, hear our prayer.

7

Jesus falls the second time

For people who are hard on themselves

We can be harder on ourselves than anyone else.  We expect a lot from ourselves.  May those who are never satisfied with themselves, know that  they are lovable, learn to accept being imperfect as we all are, and also learn to laugh at their mistakes.  Also, may we be there to give them a positive word.  Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, hear our prayer.

8

Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem

For people we meet on our life's journey

We meet many people on our life's journey.  Some are important.  Some are almost invisible.  Some are rich and some are poor. May we see the gift that they are to us and likewise that we may be a gift to them.   Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, hear our prayer.

9

Jesus falls the third time

For people who have addictions and keep falling

Addictions come in all sizes and styles.  Food, control, smoking, alcohol,  drugs, deviant behavior.   We pray for those people who are fighting addictions and we also ask your help to renew our pledge to do better each time we fall again.  Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, hear our prayer.

10

Jesus is stripped of his garments

For people who have been stripped of their dignity in one form or another

The poor, the homeless, the unemployed, the disabled have all been stripped of some dignity.  May we treat each person with the respect and honor with which we would want to be treated ourselves.  Help us to reach out at this most difficult time, in whatever way we can to help the most needy.  Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, hear our prayer.

11

Jesus is nailed to the cross

For all the nails we use on occasion – sharp words, prejudgement, impatience

It is so easy to do and it can be so hurtful.  Help us to grow in patience,  acceptance and positive words for others.  Help us to smile, say hello and wish others a good day.  Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, hear our prayer.

12

Jesus dies on the cross

For all those dying or near death

We all will die.  May we pass in peace and among those we love and who love us.  At this time, we pray for all those who have died and are dying from Covid-19.  Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, hear our prayer.

13

Jesus' body is taken down from the cross

For all those who have experienced the death of someone significant in their lives

Everyone has lost someone perhaps a parent, a spouse, a child, a relative, a friend, a dog, a cat.  It hurts.  May we be there to comfort those who are suffering from losing someone special. Let us remember those who have lost a loved one from Covid-19.   Let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, hear our prayer.