The Stations of the Cross retrace Jesus’ walk to Calvary. Often, they begin with Pilate condemning Jesus to die and end with the placement of Jesus’ body in the tomb. When travelers cannot journey to Jerusalem and walk the way of sorrow, the Via Dolorosa, on the streets where it happened, artists often create representative stations of Jesus’ walk, placed in sequence where the faithful often gather. Then, those praying to experience life to the fullness, discern ministry and purpose, pray hopes and dreams and concerns, confront death and mortality, and enter into the resurrection journey of Jesus, move from picture to picture, stopping at each station to meditate and contemplate the suffering of Jesus.
Some suggest that the tradition of creating and walking the Stations of the Cross worldwide traces its origins to an ancient and descriptive travel journal of a woman named Egeria. According to her travel diary, Egeria was a pilgrim who traveled to Jerusalem around 380 AD. Many believe she was a nun, a devoted patron of Christ who wanted to learn more about her savior. She believed by walking in Jesus’ footsteps, she could become more like him, and incarnate his presence in the world.
Egeria’s diary is addressed to a group of unknown but “dear ladies.” A significant portion of her journal is a detailed account of the worship services and what was celebrated on the church calendar in Jerusalem. During these early days of Christianity, a calendar capturing Jesus' life and ministry was coming together to guide the Church along its “becoming.” Some believe that during the leadership of Bishop Cyril, the liturgical calendar began to find its rhythm, creating calendar stations of preparation, the birth of Jesus, the presentation of the baby and the commission for ministry, the temptations in the desert followed by the work of healing, feeding, teaching and loving. Egeria’s journal vividly describes the palm procession on Palm Sunday and the practice of the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. The Church then celebrates the final week of Jesus, including a Passover meal, prayers in the garden, an arrest, a trial, and capital punishment. But God has other plans. God creates new life, empowering the followers of Jesus to live in the spirit, continuing his life and ministry to the present day.
As a product of the 1980s, the MTV generation, I created my Substack Stations of the Cross based on my love of music videos. Each Station includes a piece of scripture and a video that I believe comments on the scripture of each Station. Between the Stations, prayers are also adapted from The Solemn Collects from the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer. Wherever you pray and reflect upon the mysteries of Holy Week, I pray this Substack Stations opens new doorways to your relationship with God.
THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Opening Lament - Jesus turns his face toward Jerusalem
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
“See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matthew 23:37-39)
Station I - Jesus in the Garden
Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “God, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:36-41)
Station II - Jesus is betrayed by Judas
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now Judas had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. (Mark 14:43-46)
Let us pray for all who feel betrayed or abandoned by God or God’s people.
We pray for those who feel sad or believe their friends have betrayed them. We pray for those who feel lonely and believe their prayers are unanswered. We ask that, in trouble and through the grace of God, we may seek forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope.1
Station III - Jesus is tried
When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought Jesus to their council. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” Jesus replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”
What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?” (Luke 22:66-71)
Station IV - Peter denies Jesus
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” (Matthew 26:66-71)
Let us pray for all nations and peoples of the earth and those in authority among them.
We pray for our President, the Congress, and the Supreme Court. We ask for fairness and justice to guide the United Nations members and representatives. We pray for all elected to serve the people, including governors, mayors, and officials who keep our neighborhoods safe, that by God's help, they may seek justice and truth and live in peace and concord.2
Station V - Jesus is judged by Pilate
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. (Matthew 15:1-15, 15)
Station VI - Jesus is crowned with thorns
Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. (John 19:1-3)
Let us pray for God’s spirit to guide our hearts and minds while seeking justice in the world.
We pray for all who seek faith in action, hoping to transform lives and make your love known in the world. We pray for victims of violence, and we pray for the willingness to pass sensible gun laws. We pray for all who have been made fun of, ridiculed, or made fun of because of who they are. May they remember God is with them, created them, and is with them in times of turmoil and trouble.
Station VII - Jesus bears the cross
Jesus; carrying the cross by himself, headed out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face. (John 19:6, 15-17)
Station Eight - Simon the Cyrenian is compelled to carry the cross
They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. (Mark 15:21)
Let us pray for the Church of Christ throughout the world.
We pray that the Church is a beacon of light, hope, and love, representing the love of Christ to all people in all conditions. We pray for the people seeking a community of faith. We hope to answer the call to act now in love and create community in Christ's name, that God will confirm the Church in faith, increase it in love, and preserve it in peace.3
Station IX - Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
A great number of the people followed Jesus. Among them were women who were crying and wailing for him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are those who weep long for love and life and for the children of God and yet feel this has been denied them.’ In grief, they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:27-31)
Station X - Jesus is crucified
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with two criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
As the people mocked him, Jesus said, “God, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. (Luke 23:33-34)
Let us pray for all who suffer and are afflicted in body, mind, or spirit;
for the hungry and the homeless, the poor and the oppressed, for the sick, the wounded, and the crippled, for those in loneliness, fear, and anguish, for those who face temptation, doubt, and despair, for the sorrowful and bereaved, for prisoners and captives, and those in mortal danger, that God in God’s mercy will comfort and relieve them, and grant them the knowledge of God’s love, and stir up in us the will and patience to minister to their needs.
Station XI - Jesus speaks to the good thief
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept making fun of Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other rebuked that theif, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man Jesus has done nothing wrong.” Then the thief said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
Station XII - Jesus speaks with his mother and the disciples
Standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into their own home. (John 19:25-27)
Let us pray for all who have not received the Gospel of Christ;
for those who have never heard the word of salvation, for those who have lost their faith, for those hardened by sin or indifference, for the contemptuous and the scornful, or those who are enemies of Christ and persecutors of his disciples, for those who, in the name of Christ, have persecuted others, that God will open their hearts to the truth and lead them to faith and obedience.4
Station XIII - Jesus dies on the cross
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. The sun’s light failed and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Having said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:44-46)
Station XIV - Jesus is placed in the tomb
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. (Matthew 27:57-60)
Let us pray for all who have died.
Let us commit ourselves to God and pray for the grace of a holy life that, with all who have departed this world and have died in the peace of Christ, and those whose faith is known to God alone, we may be accounted worthy to enter into the fullness of the joy of Jesus, and receive the crown of life in the day of resurrection.5
Station XV - The Resurrection of Jesus
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. (MK 16:1-6)
Jesus, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 279
adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 278.
adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 278
adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 279
adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 280