Station III:  Jesus falls the first time

Jesus falls under the weight of the heavy cross because we are fallen.  How heavy our sins weigh upon You, Jesus.  And yet you get up three times….to show us how much You love us (in spite of how poorly we love) and how much You love and trust Your Father and His Will. 

O Jesus, let us not be surprised by the weakness of others or our own fallen nature that tries to justify our own lack of love.  We will go to many lengths to avoid guilt or the truth about our own weakness. Yet when we are open to see our weaknesses, God opens up the gates to His merciful Love. You, Jesus, know the truth and will help me carry the weight of my cross. You have offered to be there with me when I fall to help me get up and continue on my journey to salvation.  May we see ourselves in You, Lord,  The pity, the heartache we experience at the agonizing sight of You under the cross, is the very way You regard us in our fallenness.  It is what compels You to get up and keep trudging to Golgotha where You will save us from our sin. 

After each Station, pray “Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.  Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee”

by Mary Fischer

The post Third Station of the Cross first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Arise, O Lord, and let Thy enemies be scattered, and let them that hate Thee flee from before Thy Face. (Ps 68:1)

Third station: Jesus falls beneath the weight of the Cross. And He bruises His Face with the violence of His fall. He rises, His Face covered with mire, dust and blood. Holy Father, I offer Thee the fall of my Savior in expiation of those faults by which I have disedified and scandalized my neighbor. Because of Jesus humiliated and suffering, have mercy on me. In reparation I purpose to strive to prevent evil, and to win hearts to Thee. Amen.

The post Jesus Falls the First Time first appeared on AirMaria.com.