Stations of the Cross

The Way of the Cross is a way of prayer. I walk in spirit with Jesus on his journey to Calvary and meditate on his suffering and death. Each meditation can be a personal meeting with Jesus and a new discovery of his presence in my life. Each meditation can be deeply personal by recalling specific persons, places, and experiences in my own life.

The images below are the Stations of the Cross displayed at the Episcopal Church of St. Clement & St. Peter. They were given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Margaret and Russell Sorbet by Barbara Sepko.

I. JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH. Lord Jesus, often I judge others and fail to be understanding or loving. Help me to see the people in my life through your eyes, not the eyes of Pontius Pilate.

Station 2 3-11-15 — II. JESUS RECEIVES HIS CROSS. Lord Jesus, you embraced your cross to redeem the world. Help me to embrace the crosses in my life–the hardships, struggles, disappointments, pain. Only by recognizing my own weaknesses, can I discover your strength.

Station 3 3-11-15 — III. JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME. Lord Jesus, you know how often i fall trying to follow you. Yet you are always there to life me up. Help me always to trust in your loving care for me.

Station 4 3-11-15 — IV. JESUS MEETS HIS BLESSED MOTHER. Lord Jesus, your mother Mary’s grief was surpassed by her love for you. So often you come to me in others, and their love gives me new life. Help me to see how often you love through the people in my life.

Station 5 3-11-15 — V. SIMON HELPS JESUS TO CARRY HIS CROSS. Lord Jesus, sometimes I am indifferent to the needs of others in my life. I even neglect those whom I love. Help me to see that loving others is the surest way to find you in my life.

VI. VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS. Lord Jesus, at times I am afraid to reach out to others. I do nothing when I should act. I say nothing when I should speak out. Give me a deeper and more courageous faith. Help me to trust that you are with me.

Station 7 3-11-15 — VII. JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME. Lord Jesus, failure and disappointment sometimes lead me to despair. I hide behind my pride and self-pity, withdrawing from you and others. Give me the hope I need and help me never to be afraid to begin again.

Station 8 3-11-15 — VIII. JESUS CONSOLES THE HOLY WOMEN. Lord Jesus, your great compassion for others overwhelms me. I feel petty and selfish when I thin of you and the way you love. Help me to pour out my love, that you might fill me with your love.

Station 9 3-11-15 — IX. JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME. Lord Jesus, your failing strength makes me see how helpless I am. Without you, I can do nothing. Help me to rely on your strength, to see how much I need you.

Station 10 3-11-15 — X. JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS. Lord Jesus, seeing you so cruelly humiliated makes me realize how I cling to my accomplishments, my possessions, my way. Help me to let go of those things in my life that prevent me from growing closer to you and to others.

Station 11 3-11-15 — XI. JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS. Lord Jesus, I can never doubt your great love for me when I see you crucified. Help me to see your cross as the great sign of your love for me.

Station 12 3-11-15 — XII. JESUS EXPIRES ON THE CROSS. Lord Jesus, your broken and lifeless body calls me to deeper faith. You chose death, even death on the cross. Help me to see my crosses as ways of loving you.

Station 13 3-11-15 — XIII. JESUS IS LAID IN HIS MOTHER’S ARMS. Lord Jesus, seeing your body taken from the cross reminds me how fearful I am of letting go of my own life. I am frightened when I think of being unimportant, useless, helpless. Help me to place my life in your hands.

Station 14 3-11-15 — XIV. JESUS IS LAID IN THE SEPULCHER. Lord Jesus, when I see the great stone sealing your tomb, I feel alone and abandoned. Even though you sometimes feel distant or absent in my life, help me always to believe in your closeness and loving presence.