Wednesday Word . . . The Ninth Station
Jesus falls a third time
O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
A few of the Stations are not scriptural but taken from pious tradition; Jesus falling while carrying his cross to Golgotha is one of them. While not scriptural, it is theologically correct as it affirms his humanity – for which of us would not fall under the burden of a cross after being beaten and whipped? And sometimes we do fall under the burdens we bear.
Jesus, Second Person of the Trinity, co-equal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, who was in the beginning, begotten not made, gave us the example of his great humility by taking on human form and by suffering a shameful death upon a cross. In the journeys of our own lives we will be faced with trials, sorrows, and times of pain. Through it all, may we continually work to understand the ways of God and be strengthened through his holy Word. And may we remember that following Christ doesn’t preclude us from suffering but does allow us to share in his resurrection.
Blessings,
**Stations of the Cross devotions are held every Wednesday in Lent at Noon at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church. These services are also livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in person. https://www.stlukesbuffalo.church/services