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SECOND STATION: Jesus Takes up His Cross
Hieronymus Bosch. Christ Carrying the Cross. Oil on panel. Palacio Real, Madrid, Spain  

 
 Jesus, who willingly took up the Cross for humanity’s sake, also commanded us to take up our own crosses and follow him.

Taking up our own crosses and giving ourselves in self-sacrificial love to help bear the burden of others is the model of vocation that God gave us in his Son.  In a world where so many starve for daily bread, this vocation of sacrifice can be seen as amplifying the ancient imperative of God spoken through Isaiah: “If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, your light shall rise in the darkness.  You shall be called repairer of the breach, restorer of streets to live in.”  As you meditate upon the Second Station, consider the starving of the world, and the vast gap between the hungry and those who have plenty.

To learn how you can participate and help make a difference, visit http://www.bread.org/

 

 

Officiant:              We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People:                  Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Officiant:              Jesus went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Like a lamb he was led to the slaughter; and like a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he opened not his mouth. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.

Officiant:              The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all:
People:                  For the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Officiant:              Let us pray.

Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

People:                  Amen.

All:                         Holy God,           
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.

 

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