Though it is a devotion in which we might participate any time of the year the Stations of the Cross takes on a special significance during Lent. It invites us to be present as Christ reveals God's love in the most terrible manner. From the earliest days of our church sinners (especially those guilty of murder, idolatry, and adultery) were given the penance to walk in the footsteps of the Savior as he approached Golgotha. As one can easily imagine such a work could only be undertaken by those who could spend a great deal of time and money in its fulfillment. Therefore, Saint Francis of Assisi devised a systematic meditation which could be erected in every church and Chapel of Christendom. Upon petitioning the Papacy, the founder of the mendicant community bearing his name saw to it that a plenary indulgence could be applied to this encounter with the Lord. (This indulgence is available to all who attend devotion on Friday evenings, recite one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be... for the Holy Father, celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and receive the Holy Eucharist within two weeks.)
As we move from one station we have the opportunity to examine the actions of the ancient players in the eternal drama of salvation and reflect on our present responses to the challenge of fidelity. The figure of Pilate on one level reminds us of the politician who is more concerned with maintaining his position rather than supporting that which he knows is true. The governor was aware that nothing Jesus said or did merited crucifixion but in order not to upset the apple cart locally or his future with his Roman superiors he shuts his eyes to justice. On another level he reminds us of ourselves when we ignore our obligation to stand up for what is right whether it involves saying "no" to our children, confronting an employer over an unethical practice, or speaking our against injustice. It is easy for us to stand in judgment over another, past or present. It is far more difficult to identify their behavior as our own.
As Jesus falls the first time we do not observe anyone coming to his assistance. His appearance perhaps caused others to turn away. Perhaps the show of power by the number of roman soldiers discouraged any involvement by those who crowded the narrow streets. The reactions of onlookers perhaps forced the most caring to suppress any desire to intervene. The inhumanity of today's modern world cannot be measured solely in the millions lost in the Holocaust, or in the famines of the Sudan, or in the killing fields of Southeast Asia but also in the existence of homelessness in our streets, the destruction of unborn life in our medical facilities, and the lack of care for the aged poor.
Our mother, Mary, courageously follows her son in the company of the weeping women of Jerusalem. Though they are not identified more closely perhaps the latter remembered His words of challenge on the Mount when He called them to support each other in times of trouble, to forgive each other's failings, and to return to the way of the ancient covenant. Among them, perhaps, was the wife of Jairius whose daughter he had brought back to life, or the young pregnant woman who remembered His kindness at her wedding when He changed the water into wine, and perhaps, even some wives other Pharisees and Scribes He had confronted who could see the foolishness of their spouses in refusing to acknowledge His miraculous acts. For her part, the once young virgin, realizing that the prophecies spoken by the angel, the holy man in the Temple, and His own cousin had to be fulfilled, accompanied and supported Her only son. Her heart broke as He faced not only the rejection of the people but the betrayal of the apostles. No person or concern could keep her from being at His side. As faith and its obligations have been marginalized by those preaching the gospel of relativism, have we become fearful of being seen as out of touch or narrow-minded. Even when we are among friends and family do we hesitate to invite others to pray or fail to acknowledge Jesus' place in our lives.
The figures of Veronica and Simon of Cyrene are introduced to us as we proceed. Who was this woman who was willing to put herself in harm's way for the suffering Messiah? We can only speculate. We certainly can say she was representative of many who were grateful for His ministry, having seen His compassion for children, the sick, and even for his adversaries. In turn, she comes to His assistance. Matthew's Gospel reminds us that Jesus is the one we aid when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the homebound as well as those imprisoned. As well as refusing Him aid when we turn away from our needy human brothers and sisters. Simon becomes a significant figure in the Passion as an unwilling participant. And yet he must have been transformed by that moment for the Acts of the Apostles relates that his two sons became well known disciples. Many things happen to us for unknown reasons but if we see the hand of God in each of them we can draw closer to our salvation. In both these people we can see how apparently insignificant circumstances can be transformed by divine grace into life-giving and life-changing moments. As we reflect on our pasts we can verify this reality.
During this week pray the Stations and be overwhelmed by the love of Jesus for you and all creation. Let us then do likewise for our neighbor especially in those troubled times.
Vivat Jesus
Fr. Brian
