Opening Prayer
Loving God, you have created us for yourself to live in eternal union with you. You have knit us together in your own image, calling us to live in relationship just as You are in eternal loving relationship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Loving God, how often we look down upon ourselves, and how often we hurt our relationships with you and our sisters and brothers. We allow ourselves to give in to greed, selfishness, and individualism. We hurt our relationships and forget our true calling to love even as you have loved us. Through our own actions and attitudes we have contributed to the weight of Jesus' Cross. Loving God, come with us as we journey these fourteen steps of Jesus' passion. Through this time of prayer may we understand more deeply your unity with and love for us, and may we be strengthened to live in greater solidarity with you and with all our sisters and brothers made in your image. We pray in the name of Jesus, who lives eternally with you Father and Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus, the Son of God and King of Kings, is put on trial before his own creatures. Yet he stands silent. He will not fight against the argument of the Jewish leaders, even though He stands for the truth. The sentence is given: He is to be crucified. Jesus, I see all the many ways I have chosen to make myself judge over others. The times I have judged someone because of the way they dress, the color of their skin, or the country of their birth. Jesus, I have often judged others before I have even given them a chance to speak. Like you, they have been silent to my harsh judgment of them, while I have not taken the time to walk in their shoes. Holy Spirit, Jesus said that you would be the Advocate of his disciples. And yet it seems as if you had abandoned him in his time of need. Although it appears this way to our human eyes, the eyes of faith reveal that you were giving Jesus the strength he needed to remain silent and complete the Father's Will: to redeem all of humankind. Help me, Holy Spirit, to be strong during those times I am under criticism or judgment by others, so that I will always follow the Father's Will for me. Help me also to quiet my own mind when I am tempted to judge or look down upon another. May I see Jesus in them.

Jesus, through you all of creation is held in existence. However, in your incarnation you have taken on fully the weakness of our human condition. After being whipped until your back is lacerated to the bone, the weight of a heavy, splintered cross is thrown across your shoulders. Onlookers laugh as they see your legs weaken under the weight and the pain brought upon your back and shoulders. Jesus, you said that whoever follows you must be pre-pared to take up their cross daily and follow you. Yet so many times I have grumbled and complained at the little inconveniences of life. During times of sickness or disappointment I have become angry and bitter toward you, my God. I have even run away from bearing my cross by following the crowd, and not standing up to be counted as one of your followers. Loving Creator God, you saw the soldiers throw the weight of the cross onto the shoulders of your Son, your Beloved One. How you must have longed to relieve him of this burden, yet you did not do so because of your unfathomable love for us your children. Loving God, help us to always remember your tremendous love for us, especially during the times when we are asked to bear our own crosses in life.

The soldiers push and prod Jesus with intensity, wanting to get him to the top of the hill to get their job done. This man Jesus meant nothing to them. He was just another political upstart like so many others who were considered a nuisance to the power of Rome. When Jesus fell, they did whatever they needed to get him up again: kicking, cursing, tugging on the rope tied around his waist. There was no time to rest or wait. They had a job to do, and that is all they cared about. Their own security was on the line. How many times I have fallen into the same trap as the Roman soldiers? I am just a number, just one position in a business, just one placeholder on the factory line. I want to get my day's work done, so I can get out of this place and enjoy myself. How often I have turned the other way when someone in my workplace needed help: when they have been overburdened with work, when they have had a loss in their family, when they seemed alone and have had no one to talk with or eat lunch with. "Its not my problem," I have thought, "I'm just here to do my job." But God has called me to serve others wherever I may be. Lord Jesus, I often look at the soldiers who are so cold, so uncaring, so nonchalant in their work of bringing your their Savior to his deathbed. But I have often acted in a similar manner whenever I have coldly and uncaringly turned away in apathy when someone has needed my concern. Lord Jesus, as I look at you fallen on the ground, I see how weak you are. My heart goes out to want to help you. Help me to have the same heart-felt compassion for those in my own midst who too are weak and need my help today.

What an encouraging yet painful meeting this must have been for you, Lord Jesus. To see your mother's loving face amongst the other laughing and taunting faces in the crowd must have given you strength. Yet at the same time, how your heart must have been filled with pain knowing that her pain was as great as yours. The agony and anxiety filling her heart, seeing her little one being treated so inhumanely, must have been unbearable. How many times have I forgotten the pain of those who have endured the suffering and loss of a family member? I have sometimes felt that they should have gotten on with their lives long ago, and have forgotten the lingering pain associated with grief. Please help me, God, to be patient and consoling to those in grief for as long as their healing may take. Mary, Mother of the Son of God, how dearly you loved your Son. When all his closest disciples abandoned him and fled in fear, you stood by him to strengthen and console him. Mother Mary, show me the way to follow your example of constant faithfulness to your Son. And Mary, mother me too as I follow your way.

The soldiers see the weakness and exhaustion of Jesus. Their main goal is to ensure that this man, being paraded through the streets of Jerusalem, reaches his final destination where he will be executed: Golgotha. It would be a worse scandal for them if this man died along the way and never reached the top of that hill, than for him to die the humiliating public execution sentenced him. Not only this traitor of Caesar is to be taught a lesson, but also all those nearby who would even have thoughts of turning against the power of Rome. Jesus, one in being with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one with the Godhead in sustaining all creation in its order and existence, you are lowered to being completely dependant on one of your own creatures for help. Simon, an innocent bystander in the crowd, is forced into service by the intimidating soldiers. Simon helps, timidly and in fear, yet the help he gives to this prisoner is help given to the Son of God. From this moment forward, the story of Simon's help to God's Son would be retold for millennia to come. His simple act of relieving another's burden would become an important event in salvation history. Loving Father God, you see so much suffering and hardship endured by your children, and you call your followers to help even as Simon did. So often, though, you see our acceptance of your will done timidly and in fear of punishment if we do not do otherwise, rather than in acts of true selfless love. Loving Father, you have given us each other to be companions on our journey to your kingdom. Please forgive us for praying that your kingdom will come, yet not doing enough to work toward the fulfillment of the kingdom by our works of love and assistance.

What courage we see in the woman Veronica who decides to step out from the midst of the jeering crowd demanding the death of the Saviour, so that she could relieve him even slightly of the blood and sweat pouring down his face. She knows that her action involves risk. What will people say or do in response to her action of love for Jesus, this man who has been labeled blasphemer and traitor? The genuine love of her heart flows into action and sweeps away all concern about what others will think. She cannot be held back by fear. She bursts out of the angry mob to make in one small gesture a powerful sign that she wishes to be forever united with Jesus, and chooses him over the crowd's acceptance. Lord Jesus, it is this bold leap of faith and love for you that you desire from your disciples. So often, however, I carefully choose what I will say and do based on how others will perceive and accept me. I wear the clothes, drink the drinks, and drive the cars that will help me fit in and be popular. I accept the teachings of the advertisers that tell me that buying and having all these things will bring success, happiness, and love. Holy Spirit, Advocate of God's Little Ones, you inspire God's people to act justly, love tenderly, and walk closely with their God. You move your people to build a kingdom of justice and compassion, yet in our world rampant materialism exists next door to injustice, poverty, and oppression. We who have so much seem to stop our ears to your gentle whispers, inspiring us to break heavy yokes, and wipe the faces of those needing refreshment and relief. Help us, Spirit of the Living God, to be more like Veronica in reaching out fearlessly with care and compassion.

Lord Jesus, growing weaker with each step you take toward your destiny, how disabled you have become. The whipping you had received which other men never survived left you incredibly weak. As you are forced through the city streets, the heavy cross drags upon your tender back causing you to wince in new waves of pain. You fall, partly from tripping on the loose stones in the street beneath you, but also due to your incredible pain. Even though laying on the stony road provides an unexpected moment of rest, you know that your mission is not complete. With incredible fortitude, you get up and go on. Lord Jesus, I sometime allow my pains and inabilities to become excuses for not helping others or doing your work. I gripe and groan when burdens of this life get me down, and even lash out at you for bringing these upon me. Let me always look to your example so that I may keep steadfast in my Christian mission even when it may bring me discomfort or difficulty. Jesus, Son of God Made Flesh, you reveal to me in this station your complete unity with me in my humanity. You also give me hope that even when life seems to be too difficult because of burdens or trials, I should keep going on. As I have learned from your own journey, my own dedication and faithfulness will be rewarded with an eternity of glory.

Loving Jesus, even in your darkest hour you did not abandon your concern and compassion for others. In the noisy crowd, you discerned the presence of the crying women, some with their children. Your heart must have been warmed to know that there were those in the crowd who were not rejoicing in your crucifixion. Yet, even while you were being comforted by their tears, you chose to live in the present moment and comfort them in preparation for what was to lie ahead. Your love and consolation was part of who you were, and didn't stop because you were being led to your death. Jesus, our compassionate High Priest, you call us to develop a nature of compassion and sensitivity that be-comes part of who we are. Our own trials and sorrows should not blind our eyes to the hurts of others. Oh God of all Consolation, help us to continue to love and care about the needs of others even when we are hurting. May we be good patients during our times of sickness, not lashing out when our needs are not met, but speaking kindly with nurses and doctors who care for us. Let us, in good times and bad, reveal our love for you and your people.

Jesus our love and our life, as you fall the third time you are so near to your own death. Your life blood has been pouring out from the lacerations on your back, and the heavy cross has become unbearable to carry. In this moment, laying lifelessly still on the pavement, you are immeasurably precious to God your Father. Even as you lay there with no strength left to give, the Father says: "This is my son, the beloved, on whom my favour rests." The desire in your heart to fulfill the Father's will empowers you to go on. Loving Jesus, we so easily fall prey to our society's belief that a person is worth only as much as they have or are able to produce. In this most vulnerable moment of your life, we realize that society's message is all wrong. Help us to treasure and show reverence to those who are disabled and those who have lost the vigour and memory of their youth. Let our actions reveal that they are our beloved ones. Holy Spirit, our Indwelling Guest, let us always see with the eyes of faith that each human life is of immeasurable importance because it is your Temple. Help us never to write someone off as unimportant because of their inabilities or their dependence upon others. Help us to see beyond what the eye can see to recognize that You, Holy Spirit continue to dwell long after our youthful vigour remains.

Jesus, all that the Father has is yours. However at this moment, even the very last remnant of your earthly belongings are stripped away from you by your own creations. You stand humiliated before the people you so tenderly loved and reverenced. What have you done to deserve this? Why have we treated you with such cruelty? Oh Jesus, in this one instant along the path to your glorification, you reveal to all your believers the truth about life itself. True life and happiness does not exist in possessing material comforts or conveniences. Rather, true life is found in love. Even as you are stripped of all earthly belongings, the Father's love enfolds you and therefore you have more than any riches the world can afford. Beloved brother and Lord Jesus, your whole life pro-claims to us how we should live. We seemingly have gotten your message so mixed up, though. We choose to use people and abuse relationships in order to gain power, status, and prosperity. How much we have misunderstood your message and your life! We turn people's bodies into objects for our own pleasure, and we cut off relationships that won't pay off for our own advancement. Oh Jesus, please forgive us, and help us to believe that your path of life is the true way to peace and joy.

Loving Creator God, all that exists came into being by your willing. You created human beings, in your own image, to be stewards of the good earth you created. You gave us intelligence and strength to build and to work in the way that you yourself create and sustain. How patient you are, watching your creatures raise the tools which you yourself have given them the wisdom to make, as weapons of punishment and death for your own Beloved Son. As you watch and endure the pain your Son receives, you do so lovingly knowing that even this most horrible event of our rebellion will be used in your plan for our salvation. Oh God, have mercy on us for we have sinned so terribly. It is easy for us to reflect upon what `your creatures' have done to inflict humiliation and pain upon your Son. How-ever, we must admit that we in this time and place are part of the humanity that has committed such an atrocity. Oh Creator, Father God, we praise you for your unfathomable love for us that would willingly allow your Son to embrace the Cross for us your prodigal children. When-ever we feel the slightest twinges of self-righteousness or pride let us remember that we each have had a part to play in the brutal death of your Son. As St. Paul writes, "We have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God." Help us to remember our total reliance upon your mercy and love.

Jesus, my Lord and my God, you have proven to me and to all people of all times how much we are beloved by you. You could have said, "It is finished; enough of this!" before the soldiers came to arrest you in the garden. You are the all powerful Lord of Glory to whom all creation will bow in adoration. Yet you lovingly submitted yourself to your Father's will and into the power of human beings. You have revealed in this one action, this one moment in history, that there is nothing you will not do and give for us your beloved sisters and brothers. Your love has no bounds. It is not even limited by our sins. Loving Lord Jesus, so many times I fail to trust in your love. During times of stress or sickness I allow myself to become filled with anxiety and worry. I take my gaze away from the image I am now reflecting upon and place it upon my problems. Lord Jesus, when the struggles and trials of life seem to rise around me, help me to remember this image of you giving yourself completely and unreservedly for me. Help me, in every circumstance that life may bring me, to remember that you have carried the cross willingly for me, and that your love will never be taken away from me.

The one chosen to be the mother of God's only Son, Mary cradles the lifeless body of her little one in her arms. She had lovingly carried this child in her womb, nursed him, taught him, and frantically searched for him when he was lost. She followed him as a faithful disciple, watching him heal from the compassion of his heart, offer people a new beginning from their former lives of sin, and give multitudes new direction and meaning through his teaching. Mary had watched her Son doing only good, helping and never hurting. It must have seemed like a nightmare to see Jesus mocked, abused, and executed as a criminal after all the selfless acts of love and compassion he worked. Mary, Mother of Jesus and my Mother, you must have felt so helpless watching your Son being treated so cruelly by the ones he loved and cared for so deeply. Even in your helplessness you remained close to your Son. You believed that God would always remain faithful even though you didn't see God's hand in any of this horror. During my times of helplessness, let me trust with you in God's faithfulness. When I see my parents growing feeble, when my children grow up and make decisions I know will not bring them true happiness, and when a loved one struggles with the pain and anxiety of terminal illness, help me to remain close to them with courage and faith, even as you remained with your Son in hope and prayer.

Holy Spirit, eternally-united with the Father and the Son, you were the constant companion of Jesus throughout his life in our human history. You overshadowed Mary at Jesus' conception, inspired the young parents to flee in the night when the holy child's life was in danger, inspired Jesus with a wisdom that astounded the elders in the Temple, and continued to empower him with an authority never witnessed before and a power that even evil and death could not overcome. After Jesus' body was removed from the Cross, it was placed lifeless in the grave, and the tomb was sealed shut with a huge boulder. Even though all seemed lost and there was nothing left to hope for, yet you Holy Spirit continued to remain united with Jesus. While the world was sealed out of the tomb, yet you could not be shut out. Because of your presence and infinite power, Jesus would not remain life-less. Rather, "on the first day of the week" he would be infused with new life and resurrected glory. Holy Spirit, help me to know that I too am never alone. Even though it sometimes seems that no one understands what I am enduring, or that there is no way out of my situation of darkness, help me to know that you dwell with me and your power is at work even in the midst of my weakness and brokenness. Holy Spirit, help me also to recognize your presence in each person so that I can reverence you wherever I meet you. As you were present with your power to raise up the lifeless Christ, may I too use my power to help raise up those who are poor, powerless, and in pain.

Concluding Prayer
God, Father, Son, and Spirit, by accompanying me on this journey of fourteen steps you have strengthened my knowledge of who You are and who I am. You are a God of loving relationship, a oneness in being and love among Your three persons. You show me that there are no bounds to your generosity and love. You also reveal to me, through these stations, my true dignity in relationship with You. As Jesus himself was called, I too am your beloved child. There is nothing that you would withhold from me. You have given all so that I may be with you forever. As I continue in my daily journey, may I always remember my dignity as your beloved one. May I also pledge that I will care for and respect all people, knowing that they too are beloved and of infinite worth to You. Help me to follow your own example so that my love may not be limited, but that I may give my all in serving You and Your people.