#JOA40 Sunday’s don’t have to be a part of your Lenten abstinence – it is always a feast day. Use this day to prepare for the challenges in the week ahead, go to Mass and spend time doing what you like with the people you love! 40 Lent Challenges for a better YOU. Make this the best LENT ever! Download all the challenges (link in bio) #lent #bestlentever #lent2020 #selfimprovement #fasting #almsgiving #prayer #catholic #jesus #ashwednesday #ashtag #bible #christian #holiness #wholeness #peace #joy #hope #love #mercy #kindness #repentance @rcwestminster @dowym @spec_community @dumboxministries @luxnymo @caritas_westminster
STATION 9 | JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME “Lord if You are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let Your will be done not mine.” Luke 22:42 Jesus falls again, and so close to the second fall. Failing in quick succession can be devastating to our confidence. It can feel like no matter what we do, or how hard we try, we just can’t do what’s been asked of us. In Jesus we have a model of perseverance. At every stage of this journey, the failure increased – betrayed by Judas, abandoned by his friends, falsely accused, beaten and humiliated – fall after fall, after fall. Yet he saw it through to the end in obedience to the Father, so that we may rise with him in glory. @rcwestminster @dowym @sthelenswatford #stationsofthecross #wayofthecross #catholic #Jesus #love #passion #crucifixion #cross #church #goodfriday @CatholicFaithFormation @dumboxministries @luxnymo @spec_community
STATION 8 | JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM “If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7 The Jewish people had become exclusive. They blamed their history of exile and occupation on the sinfulness of individuals. This led them to marginalise many including the sick and disabled. Their state was believed to be God’s punishment and confirmation of their lowliness. Women also suffered such exclusion, perhaps due to the blame Adam put upon Eve for the Fall. Women could not testify in court and their view could not win against a man’s. Yet Jesus treated women with equal esteem as God has always done. Women have played a key role in Salvation History and Jesus’ lineage contains many ordinary women who despite their circumstances were brave and faithful. Perhaps in this crowd of women on the way to Calvary was the woman saved from stoning? Jesus had saved her from the same fate that might of befallen His own mother had God not intervened. And on his final journey it is the women his faithful disciples. @rcwestminster @dowym @sthelenswatford #stationsofthecross #wayofthecross #catholic #Jesus #love #passion #crucifixion #cross #church #goodfriday @CatholicFaithFormation @dumboxministries @luxnymo @spec_community
STATION 7 | JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 As we approach half-way through these stations, we are told that Jesus falls again. To have fallen twice with so far left to go, knowing that what lies ahead would only be worse than what had been endured so far. Many of us would probably have stayed down hoping that some merciful soldier would end our misery there on the floor. Yet Jesus rises, determined to accomplish his purpose his mission. Let us unite with Jesus, the times when we have given up, or been tempted to – when we have felt like abandoning our purpose and mission, our relationships and tasks, when they have become difficult or have caused us to fall. As Jesus rises again, he offers us the grace so that we too may rise with him. @rcwestminster @dowym @sthelenswatford #stationsofthecross #wayofthecross #catholic #Jesus #love #passion #crucifixion #cross #church #goodfriday @CatholicFaithFormation @dumboxministries @luxnymo @spec_community
STATION 6 | VERONICA WASHES JESUS’ FACE “We shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He really is.” 1 John 3:2 Sometimes the great tragedies and sufferings of this world can leave us feeling helpless. What difference can I make? We can be paralysed by our sense of powerlessness and do nothing despite our desire to do something to help. In Veronica, we witness a seemingly insignificant act in the midst of this torture. What relief would a face-wash bring to the pain and suffering Jesus was experiencing? She couldn’t halt the procession or free Jesus from his destiny. But she acted anyway. Veronica’s act was perhaps deemed so insignificant by some that it didn’t even make it into the Gospel’s! Yet her story has been passed on from generation to generation. But who would remember such a gesture in the chaos of such an event? Who but the recipient? Was it the Resurrected Jesus who spoke to his disciples of the kindness of this girl, who braved the violence to bring some small token of relief to someone in need. Let us never not do good – however small it may be. @rcwestminster @dowym @sthelenswatford #stationsofthecross #wayofthecross #catholic #Jesus #love #passion #crucifixion #cross #church #goodfriday
STATION 5 | SIMON CARRIES THE CROSS OF JESUS “In so far as you did it for the least of these… you did it for me.” Matthew 25:40 Against his will, Simon is forced to carry the cross of Christ. Roman soldiers could force any citizen to help them for a distance of one mile. Simon was probably in the city the festival of passover. To touch a bleeding man would have made him unclean and therefore unable to participate in the rituals of the festival. How often do we begrudge helping others when it becomes an inconvenience? Through the sacrifice of his time and cleanliness, Simon in some small way participates in Jesus’ sacrifice which would pay for the sins of Simon and of the whole world. May we all be willing to participate in the saving work of Jesus today. @rcwestminster @dowym @sthelenswatford #stationsofthecross #wayofthecross #catholic #Jesus #love #passion #crucifixion #cross #church #goodfriday
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