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Holy Week will soon be upon us, with this in mind we have sourced two very different Stations of the Cross, if you wish to use one of them.
The first is here, a more traditional version with sketches, readings and meditations from the Iona Community, the second is on the next page and is more contemporary by Mary Button, entitled "A Pandemic Hope", with words from a poem by Emily Dickenson.
Jesus is condemned to death
Mark: 15: 1-5, 11-15
Jesus was taken in chains to Pilate. The chief priests were accusing Jesus of many things, so Pilate questioned him. ‘Aren’t you going to answer?’ he said. ‘Listen to all their accusations.’ Jesus refused to say a word and Pilate was amazed.
Pilate spoke to the crowd. ‘What do you want me to do with this one you call King of the Jews?’ They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!’
‘But what crime has he committed?’ Pilate asked. They shouted louder, ‘Crucify him!’ Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he set Barabbas free for them. He had Jesus whipped and handed him over to be crucified.
Meditation
Pilate asked what crime had Jesus committed.
It was a good question.
Jesus had annoyed the religious leaders, of that there was no doubt.
He had been critical of social and religious structures.
He had healed the villagers;
he had told stories to the crowds;
he was probably a threat to public law and order;
but was that enough to condemn him, to end his life?
But he would not defend himself –
the storyteller was silent now
and the crowd was noisy,
and Pilate handed him over to be crucified.
Prayer
Leader: For all those on trial this week and for those appointed to judge them:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus was taken in chains to Pilate. The chief priests were accusing Jesus of many things, so Pilate questioned him. ‘Aren’t you going to answer?’ he said. ‘Listen to all their accusations.’ Jesus refused to say a word and Pilate was amazed.
Pilate spoke to the crowd. ‘What do you want me to do with this one you call King of the Jews?’ They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!’
‘But what crime has he committed?’ Pilate asked. They shouted louder, ‘Crucify him!’ Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he set Barabbas free for them. He had Jesus whipped and handed him over to be crucified.
Meditation
Pilate asked what crime had Jesus committed.
It was a good question.
Jesus had annoyed the religious leaders, of that there was no doubt.
He had been critical of social and religious structures.
He had healed the villagers;
he had told stories to the crowds;
he was probably a threat to public law and order;
but was that enough to condemn him, to end his life?
But he would not defend himself –
the storyteller was silent now
and the crowd was noisy,
and Pilate handed him over to be crucified.
Prayer
Leader: For all those on trial this week and for those appointed to judge them:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus takes up cross
Mark 15: 16-20
The soldiers took Jesus inside, to the courtyard of the governor’s palace and called together the rest of the company. They put a purple robe on Jesus, made him a crown out of thorns branches, and put this on his head. Then they began to salute him.
‘Long live the King of the Jews.’ They beat him over the head with a stick, spat on him, fell on their knees and bowed to him.
When they had finished mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes back on him. They then led him out to crucify him.
Meditation
Soldiers
Taking their chance for a bit of fun.
They have a heavy day ahead.
Soon they would put on their public face –
disciplined, controlled, efficient.
But for now a bit of a lark with the lads
with no risk of recrimination.
Dead men tell no stories,
and Jesus was going to his death.
Prayer
Leader: For those appointed to keep public order,
and for those tempted to abuse their power:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
The soldiers took Jesus inside, to the courtyard of the governor’s palace and called together the rest of the company. They put a purple robe on Jesus, made him a crown out of thorns branches, and put this on his head. Then they began to salute him.
‘Long live the King of the Jews.’ They beat him over the head with a stick, spat on him, fell on their knees and bowed to him.
When they had finished mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes back on him. They then led him out to crucify him.
Meditation
Soldiers
Taking their chance for a bit of fun.
They have a heavy day ahead.
Soon they would put on their public face –
disciplined, controlled, efficient.
But for now a bit of a lark with the lads
with no risk of recrimination.
Dead men tell no stories,
and Jesus was going to his death.
Prayer
Leader: For those appointed to keep public order,
and for those tempted to abuse their power:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus falls for the first time
Isaiah 53: 1
Who has believed what we now tell?
Who could of seen God’s hand in this?
Meditation
Jesus was exhausted.
He was in pain.
He was going to his death.
The cross was heavy and he fell.
He was flesh and blood like us,
he was struggling.
Prayer
Leader: For those who are tired or in pain:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Who has believed what we now tell?
Who could of seen God’s hand in this?
Meditation
Jesus was exhausted.
He was in pain.
He was going to his death.
The cross was heavy and he fell.
He was flesh and blood like us,
he was struggling.
Prayer
Leader: For those who are tired or in pain:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus meets his Mother
Luke 2: 22, 25, 34, 35
The time came for Joseph and Mary to perform the ceremony of purification as the Law of Moses commanded. So they took the child Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
At that time there was a man named Simeon living in Jerusalem. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, ‘This is chosen by God for the destruction and salvation of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God which many people will speak against and so reveal their secret thoughts. And sorrow, like a sharp sword will break your own heart.’
Meditation
She was going to be there at his end –
she who had been there with God at the beginning.
She was his mother.
She had fed him and cradled him
and watched over his growing.
Whatever he had said and done,
he was still her son
and she would not desert him now.
And in the meeting of their eyes
there was love,
suffering and shining.
Prayer
Leader: For parents whose children are in pain or in trouble.
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
The time came for Joseph and Mary to perform the ceremony of purification as the Law of Moses commanded. So they took the child Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
At that time there was a man named Simeon living in Jerusalem. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, ‘This is chosen by God for the destruction and salvation of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God which many people will speak against and so reveal their secret thoughts. And sorrow, like a sharp sword will break your own heart.’
Meditation
She was going to be there at his end –
she who had been there with God at the beginning.
She was his mother.
She had fed him and cradled him
and watched over his growing.
Whatever he had said and done,
he was still her son
and she would not desert him now.
And in the meeting of their eyes
there was love,
suffering and shining.
Prayer
Leader: For parents whose children are in pain or in trouble.
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Simon carries his Cross
Mark 15: 21
On their way through Jerusalem, they met a man called Simon, who was coming into the city from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.
Meditation
Simon from Cyrene,
father of Alexander and Rufus,
what a tale you had to tell your children!
You helped Jesus,
you gave him your strength on the streets of Jerusalem.
Willing or unwilling,
you, Simon, have become part of the story,
and he part of yours,
for you helped him
when he needed you.
What would we give to become Simon?
Prayer
Leader: For a willingness to serve you, in friends and in strangers,
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
On their way through Jerusalem, they met a man called Simon, who was coming into the city from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.
Meditation
Simon from Cyrene,
father of Alexander and Rufus,
what a tale you had to tell your children!
You helped Jesus,
you gave him your strength on the streets of Jerusalem.
Willing or unwilling,
you, Simon, have become part of the story,
and he part of yours,
for you helped him
when he needed you.
What would we give to become Simon?
Prayer
Leader: For a willingness to serve you, in friends and in strangers,
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Matthew 25: 35-36, 40
I was hungry and you fed me,
thirsty, and you gave me a drink.
I was a stranger and you received me in your homes,
naked and you clothed me;
I was sick and you took care of me,
in prison and you visited me.
Whenever you did this – you did it for me.
Meditation
Wiping faces, dirty faces;
faces full of sweat and tears,
faces covered in chocolate and in jam.
Wiping faces is something we try to do gently and lovingly,
something that soothes and cleanses,
something that brings healing.
Wiping faces is something we do for those who are young, or old,
or in pain, or in trouble,
wanting them to know that they are cherished and loved.
And when we wipe the faces of God’s little ones,
we are wiping the face of God.
Prayer
Leader: For those whose faces we wipe
And for those who wipe away our tears
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
I was hungry and you fed me,
thirsty, and you gave me a drink.
I was a stranger and you received me in your homes,
naked and you clothed me;
I was sick and you took care of me,
in prison and you visited me.
Whenever you did this – you did it for me.
Meditation
Wiping faces, dirty faces;
faces full of sweat and tears,
faces covered in chocolate and in jam.
Wiping faces is something we try to do gently and lovingly,
something that soothes and cleanses,
something that brings healing.
Wiping faces is something we do for those who are young, or old,
or in pain, or in trouble,
wanting them to know that they are cherished and loved.
And when we wipe the faces of God’s little ones,
we are wiping the face of God.
Prayer
Leader: For those whose faces we wipe
And for those who wipe away our tears
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus falls for a second time
Reading: Isaiah 53:7
Ill-treated and afflicted,
he never said a word.
Like a lamb led to the slaughterhouse,
like a sheep dumb before its shearers,
he never opened his mouth.
Meditation
I am finding it hard to watch you, Jesus,
to see you struggling,
to see you on the ground.
Into your silence I want to shout:
‘Why do they keep on hurting you?
What have you done wrong?’
Prayer
Leader: For those who struggle and will fall:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Ill-treated and afflicted,
he never said a word.
Like a lamb led to the slaughterhouse,
like a sheep dumb before its shearers,
he never opened his mouth.
Meditation
I am finding it hard to watch you, Jesus,
to see you struggling,
to see you on the ground.
Into your silence I want to shout:
‘Why do they keep on hurting you?
What have you done wrong?’
Prayer
Leader: For those who struggle and will fall:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
Luke 23: 27, 28
A large crowd of people followed Jesus; among them were some women who were weeping and wailing for him. Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Women of Jerusalem, don’t cry for me, but for yourselves and for your children.’
Meditation
Weep for the mothers and children of Jerusalem,
for the Israeli and Palestinian,
for the Jew and Muslim and Christian,
for the strangers in our midst.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray that her people may live together in justice.
Pray that all people may live together in peace.
Prayer
Leader: For those who live in places of conflict and danger;
For peacemakers and peacekeepers in every land:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
A large crowd of people followed Jesus; among them were some women who were weeping and wailing for him. Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Women of Jerusalem, don’t cry for me, but for yourselves and for your children.’
Meditation
Weep for the mothers and children of Jerusalem,
for the Israeli and Palestinian,
for the Jew and Muslim and Christian,
for the strangers in our midst.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray that her people may live together in justice.
Pray that all people may live together in peace.
Prayer
Leader: For those who live in places of conflict and danger;
For peacemakers and peacekeepers in every land:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus falls for a third time
Isaiah 53: 4-5
He endured suffering that should have been ours,
the pain we should have borne.
All the while we thought that his suffering punishment sent by God;
but because of our sins he was wounded,
beaten because of the evil we did.
We are healed by the punishment he suffered,
made whole by the blows he received.
Meditation
I am not sure if I can watch much longer.
In his pain I see my pain,
in his falling I feel myself falling,
in his cross ... in his cross
I am included.
He carried it for me –
For me, my enemies, and my friends.
Prayer
Leader: For those whom I love,
for those whom I struggle to love,
for those who find me difficult:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
He endured suffering that should have been ours,
the pain we should have borne.
All the while we thought that his suffering punishment sent by God;
but because of our sins he was wounded,
beaten because of the evil we did.
We are healed by the punishment he suffered,
made whole by the blows he received.
Meditation
I am not sure if I can watch much longer.
In his pain I see my pain,
in his falling I feel myself falling,
in his cross ... in his cross
I am included.
He carried it for me –
For me, my enemies, and my friends.
Prayer
Leader: For those whom I love,
for those whom I struggle to love,
for those who find me difficult:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus is stripped of his clothes
Mark 15: 22-24
They took Jesus to a place called Golgotha, which means place of the skull. They tried to give him wine mixed with a drug called myrrh, but Jesus would not drink it. They crucified him and divided his clothing amongst themselves, throwing dice to see who would get each piece of clothing.
Meditation
Stripped now –
of clothing
of disciples
of friends.
Alone,
naked and vulnerable,
with nothing to protect you from the pain to come.
Prayer
Leader: For those deserted by friends,
for those who are vulnerable and alone:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
They took Jesus to a place called Golgotha, which means place of the skull. They tried to give him wine mixed with a drug called myrrh, but Jesus would not drink it. They crucified him and divided his clothing amongst themselves, throwing dice to see who would get each piece of clothing.
Meditation
Stripped now –
of clothing
of disciples
of friends.
Alone,
naked and vulnerable,
with nothing to protect you from the pain to come.
Prayer
Leader: For those deserted by friends,
for those who are vulnerable and alone:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus is nailed to the Cross
Luke 23: 35, 49
It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him; the people stayed there watching him, the leaders jeered at him and the soldiers mocked him. Some women, his friends from Galilee, looked on at a distance.
Meditation
We look on from a distance:
a distance in time and space, and culture,
a distance of a Friday morning in Lent.
And for us it hurts to watch Jesus dying,
even at a distance.
It hurts to know that we are being rescued.
It hurts to know how much we are valued and loved.
Prayer
Leader: For the depth of your love for us, we thank you.
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him; the people stayed there watching him, the leaders jeered at him and the soldiers mocked him. Some women, his friends from Galilee, looked on at a distance.
Meditation
We look on from a distance:
a distance in time and space, and culture,
a distance of a Friday morning in Lent.
And for us it hurts to watch Jesus dying,
even at a distance.
It hurts to know that we are being rescued.
It hurts to know how much we are valued and loved.
Prayer
Leader: For the depth of your love for us, we thank you.
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus dies on the Cross
Luke 23: 44-46
It was about twelve o’clock when the sun stopped shining and darkness covered the whole country until three o’clock. The curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Father in your hands I place my spirit.’ He said this and died.
Meditation
In your hands he placed himself:
all that he was,
all that he had ever been,
all his beauty,
all his obedience,
all his loving.
In God’s hands he placed himself.
He was returning to his father,
he was going home.
Prayer
Leader: For all who have died today,
for all who love them and will miss them:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
It was about twelve o’clock when the sun stopped shining and darkness covered the whole country until three o’clock. The curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Father in your hands I place my spirit.’ He said this and died.
Meditation
In your hands he placed himself:
all that he was,
all that he had ever been,
all his beauty,
all his obedience,
all his loving.
In God’s hands he placed himself.
He was returning to his father,
he was going home.
Prayer
Leader: For all who have died today,
for all who love them and will miss them:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus is taken down from the Cross
Mark 15: 42-46
When evening came, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Joseph took the body down and wrapped it in a linen sheet.
Meditation
Pietà.
Jesus is dead and lies in the arms of his mother.
Death is hard and final
and yet, whatever happens on this earth,
children never die to their mothers.
In the memory of those who loved them, loved ones remain.
And for us, and for all God’s people,
our hope is safe in God.
From swaddling bands to grave clothes,
all the days of our living and dying,
we are cradled and wrapped in love.
Prayer
Leader: For our families and friends who have died,
for ourselves as we carry their stories:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
When evening came, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Joseph took the body down and wrapped it in a linen sheet.
Meditation
Pietà.
Jesus is dead and lies in the arms of his mother.
Death is hard and final
and yet, whatever happens on this earth,
children never die to their mothers.
In the memory of those who loved them, loved ones remain.
And for us, and for all God’s people,
our hope is safe in God.
From swaddling bands to grave clothes,
all the days of our living and dying,
we are cradled and wrapped in love.
Prayer
Leader: For our families and friends who have died,
for ourselves as we carry their stories:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus is laid in the tomb
Mark 15: 46-47
Joseph placed the body in a tomb which had been dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph were watching and saw where the body of Jesus had been placed.
Meditation
The door is shut now,
And the world sighs and waits.
And we wait for the night’s darkness,
longing for the morning,
longing for the light.
Prayer
Leader: For all who are waiting.
For all who are longing for light:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Joseph placed the body in a tomb which had been dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph were watching and saw where the body of Jesus had been placed.
Meditation
The door is shut now,
And the world sighs and waits.
And we wait for the night’s darkness,
longing for the morning,
longing for the light.
Prayer
Leader: For all who are waiting.
For all who are longing for light:
God in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
Chant: Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Created by Mary Button, Stations of the Cross: Pandemic Hope lifts up images and stories of hope, resiliency, and relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Featuring the dedicated work of healthcare, sanitation, and mortuary workers in moments of tenderness in the face of disease and death.
Each station is paired with stanzas from Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope is the thing with feathers.” Dickinson was a deeply compassionate and introspective writer who created beauty out of isolation.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all –
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -
I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
By Emily Dickinson©
Companions of Barnabas
Encouragement in Ministry
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