A Brief Introduction
The artwork in the slideshow (almost all of it) and many of the words in the reflections came from the students and families of St. Michael Parish. It was created after two evenings of really engaging in the stories of Christ’s Passion. The result is a non-conventional version of the Stations of the Cross from the minds and hearts of students and families working and praying together. |
Instructions for Prayer Service
|
REFLECTION:
Jesus Prays in the Garden—Jesus went to pray after dinner and some of his friends went with him. How very sad and afraid you must have been. We can only imagine how it felt to know that so many people hated you and wanted to hurt you. Help us to remember when we are sad or angry or afraid, that you know what that feels like, and that we can talk to you about it. |
REFLECTION:
Jesus is betrayed—One of Jesus’ own friends showed the soldiers where Jesus was so they could arrest him. Oh Jesus! One of your very closest friends who was supposed to love you, told the soldiers where you were. How did you feel? Angry? Hurt? Disappointed? I wonder if that is how you feel when we are not loving too each other. Help us to be good and faithful friends. |
REFLECTIONS;
Peter Denies Jesus—Jesus said that Peter would deny him three times and he did. Peter, you told Jesus you would stand by him if he was in trouble, but then you pretended you did not even know him. I know you were scared, but then you felt guilty for not being brave enough. Jesus, you knew that Peter would be scared and pretend he didn’t know you. You even told him he would. You understand that we are not perfect and will make mistakes and you still love us just like you love Peter. |
REFLECTION:
Jesus is whipped and crowned with thorns. Jesus the soldiers hurt you and hit you, but they also humiliated you. They made fun of you and laughed at your pain. They even spit at you. It is wrong to bully people and make them feel bad or embarrassed. Help us remember that you understand when we feel bad or bullied and even more—remind us not to make other people feel like that. |
REFLECTION:
Jesus takes up his cross. That cross was big and heavy and made of rough wood. It is bad enough that they were going to use it to kill you, but they also made you carry it for them all that way. Be with us when life is hard and we have to do really hard things and don’t even get a choice. Help us keep trying—always. |
REFLECTION:
Jesus Falls—Jesus fell while carrying the cross more than one time. The cross was heavy and you had already been hurt and mistreated in so many ways. Did people laugh at you when you fell? How did you find strength to get back up? Sometimes, no matter how hard we try or how much we have practiced something, we will fail. We will mess up, and a lot of the time everyone will know. How lucky we are to have a God who showed us that it is okay to fail sometimes and we can still keep trying. |
REFLECTION:
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross. When you were too tired, and the cross was too heavy the soldiers grabbed a guy from the crowd to help you. Was Simon scared? Did he want to help? Maybe he was happy to help, even it was just a little. When somebody needs help, remind us that we can be the one to help them. Problems in our lives and in our world can seem too big to solve, but if everyone helps as much as they can, even if it is a little bit, we can make things better. |
REFLECTION:
Jesus meets his mother. How happy you must have been to see your mom. Among all those faces there was one that you loved, and then you knew that you were not all alone. When we love people, especially when we love them very much, it is painful to see them hurting. Help us to stand by people we love, even when it seems like it is too hard. When things are bad, knowing that someone is on your side is powerful gift. |
REFLECTION:
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. Veronica stepped out of the angry crowd and wiped the sweat and blood and tears off of Jesus’ face. Another act of kindness in the middle of so much cruelty. How did she find the bravery to be kind in that moment? God, help each of us to have the courage to choose kindness and love. Maybe if one of us starts it, others may join in. |
REFLECTION:
The Thief is Sorry for his sins There were two other men crucified with you. One of them mocked you, but the other knew that he had committed crimes and you had not. When he asked for forgiveness you said he could come to heaven with you. Jesus, you showed us that it is never too late to change. We can all be forgiven when we have done wrong and we can all try to be better. |
REFLECTION:
Jesus asks John to care for his mother. Jesus looked at John the apostle, and at his mother. To Mary he said, “Woman, behold your son” and to John he said, “Behold, your mother.” You knew you were going to die soon, so you asked two of the people you loved the most to take care of each other. When we feel grief, it is good to have others to be with so we can help each other. |
REFLECTION: Jesus Dies When Jesus died the story says the sky went black as night and the earth shook. Did even the Earth know that something important was happening? Did God want to make sure that everyone was paying attention? This death was an important part of our history and a very sad day for the people living then, and for us to remember. |