Station 7

(4)Even with help, Jesus stumbles and falls to the ground.

In deep exhaustion he stares at the earth beneath him. "Remember, you are dust and to dust you will return."

He has seen death before. Now he can feel the profound weakness of disability and disease and aging itself, there on his knees, under the weight of his cross.

I contemplate Jesus brought very low. As I behold him there on the ground, with all the agony taking its toll on him, I let my heart go out to him.

I store up this image in my heart, knowing that I will never feel alone in my suffering or in any diminishment, with this image of Jesus on the ground before me.

This is for me, so I express the feelings in my heart.

Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.

Meditation:

(2) "I am a worm, not a man, scorned by all, the laughing-stock of the mob"(Ps 22,6):

the words of the Psalmist-prophet come wholly true in these steep, narrow little streets of Jerusalem in the last hours before the Passover.

And we know that those hours before the feast are unnerving, with the streets teeming with people. This is the context in which the words of the Psalmist are coming true, even though nobody gives this a thought.

Certainly it passes unnoticed by those who are displaying their scorn, people for whom this Jesus of Nazareth -who is now falling for the second time - has become a laughing -stock

And he wills all this, he wills fulfillment of the prophecy. He falls the second time in accordance with his own will, so that "the scriptures may be fulfilled": "I am a worm,not a man."(Mt 26,54)

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

Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.