Station 3

(4)The weight is unbearable. Jesus falls under it. How could he enter our lives completely without surrendering to the crushing weight of the life of so many on this earth!

He lays on the ground and knows the experience of weakness beneath unfair burdens. He feels the powerlessness of wondering if he will ever be able to continue. He is pulled up and made to continue.

I stare at the weakness in his eyes. I can look at his whole body and see the exhaustion.

As I behold him there on the ground, being roughly pulled up, I know forever how profoundly he understands my fatigue and my defeats.

This is for me. In grief and gratitude I want to let him remain there. As I watch him stand again and gain an inner strength, I accept his love and express my thanks.

Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.

Meditation:

(2) Jesus falls under the weight of the cross. He falls to the ground. "Do you think that I cannot pray to my Father, who would at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?"(Mt 26, 53)

He does not ask for that. Having accepted the cup from his Father's hands he is resolved to drink it to the end.(Mk 14, 36) He wills it no other way.

"We had hoped;' the Emmaus disciples were to say a few days later.(Lk 24, 21)
"If you are the Son of God...;' the members of the Sanhedrin were to fling at him.(Mt 27, 40)
"He saved others but he cannot save himself," the crowd was to yell.(Mt 27, 42 / Mk 15, 31)

And he accepts these provocations, which seem to undermine the whole meaning of his mission, his teaching, his miracles. He accepts them all, for he is determined not to combat them. He wills it all. To the end, down to the very last detail, he is true to his undertaking: "not my will but yours be done." (Mk 14, 36)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.