THE WAY OF THE CROSS: Biblical?
By Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale (Mzuzu Diocese – MALAWI)
INTRODUCTION
“Fr. Petros help me, every Friday of Lent we are asked to participate in the way of the cross, is the WAY OF THE CROSS Biblical? – Harris Khembo (Kasantha Parish – Karonga Diocese Malawi).
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Response
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS
Dear Harris, the followers of Jesus (from antiquity) told the story of his passion, death and resurrection. Pilgrims to Jerusalem were anxious to see the sites where Jesus was. These sites became important personal connections with Jesus.
After many years and people moving around, it was no longer easy or even possible to visit the holy sites. By the 1500’s, people all over the world started creating “replicas” of the places along the route in Jerusalem (to Golgotha). Eventually, these stages became the 14 stations we now know and celebrate.
WHY DONE ONLY ON FRIDAYS?
This prayerful meditation through the Stations of the Cross is especially common during Lent and on Fridays throughout the year, in commemoration of Christ’s Crucifixion on Good Friday.
WHY 14 STATIONS?
Jesus Christ passed through 14 important events on his way to Golgotha. Thus:
(1) Jesus is condemned to death: Mark 15:1-15
(2) Jesus carries His cross: John 19:13-17
(3) Jesus falls the first time: John 1:29, Isaiah 53:4-7
(4) Jesus meets his mother: Luke 2:25-40, Lamentation 1:12, John 19:26-27
(5) Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross: Mark 15:21, Mark 8:34, 2Timothy 2:3
(6) Veronica wipes the face of Jesus: Matthew 25:40, Isaiah 53:2-3
(7) Jesus falls the second time: Psalm 38:6-22, Isaiah 63:9
(8) Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem: Luke 23:27-31, Matthew 7:21
(9) Jesus falls a third time: Psalms 37:23-24, Hebrews 4:15-16
(10) Jesus’ clothes are taken away: John 19:23-24, Psalm 22:16-18
(11) Jesus is nailed to the cross: Luke 23:33-43, John 19:1
(12) Jesus dies on the cross: John 19:28-37, Matthew 27:50
(13) The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross: John 19:38-40, Psalm 22:14-15
(14) Jesus is laid in the tomb: Mark 15:46-47, Matthew 27:57-61
You may be wondering why the sites are called Stations of the Cross. The word station comes from the Latin word (Stationem) that means to stand. We are walking from Christ’s trial to His crucifixion at Calvary and we stop and stand at certain sites (stations) that commemorate various events that took place along the way. As you come to each station, you stop, pray, read the scriptures, pray the prayers, and contemplate the situation before moving on. As you walk from one station to the next, your walking becomes a devotional act, because you are walking with Jesus as He walks to Calvary.
CONCLUSION
May you have a meaningful and fruitful way of the Cross during this season!
Receive my Priestly Blessings from St. Cecilia Catholic Parish (Mzuzu Diocese – Mpherembe)
Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale – Feedback: +265884150185 (WhatsApp only)
SOURCES
Thurston, Herbert, “The Stations of the Cross: an account of their history and devotional purpose,” London: Burns & Oates, 1998.
Chryssides, George D, wilkins, Margret Z, “Christians in the Twenty-First Century, London: Taylor & Francis, 2014.
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