The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls A Second Time
But at my stumblings they gathered in glee, they gathered together against me. (Psalm 35:15)
The closer He gets to Calvary, the bigger and more jagged the rocks become. This road is not one that is traveled by many. Jesus, along with the criminals and soldiers who execute them, is one of the few to take the road this far. The crowd has thinned out, but there is still a group that continues to follow. Mary is never far from her Son. With her are Mary Magdalen, John the Apostle, and some women. There are several conspirators, priests, and scribes, who want to make sure their plan is brought to completion. They continue to ridicule and mock Him as He stumbles along. Simon of Cyrene is also still with Jesus, but one misstep throws off the balance of both Jesus and his new friend. The cross slams both of them onto the sharp rocks beneath them. Jesus struggles to recover as Simon strains to lift the heavy beam.
A second fall is sometimes the most disheartening. But why is it so hard? Is it the fact that we have fallen now or that we have not forgotten the previous one? Jesus, Your second fall was perhaps harder for You because the weight of our sins has only grown. Still, after all you have gone through, I have not let go of the sins that crush You. I cannot repent entirely without Your help. I need you to get up again, Lord, and carry the cross that is my sin. Jesus, I can carry my little crosses—the disappointments, stresses, and fatigue—if you will carry the much heavier one that is my guilt.
Points to consider:
Help me to entrust my past, my present, and my future to You. I know I can never really be healed from my present sins if I do not also accept the forgiveness that You offer from my past failures to love You. Help me realize that Your love is strong enough to clean any ugliness that has ever entered my soul.
My ability to trust in you entirely is one of the greatest gifts that I can give to my children.
Help me to resist the temptation to bring up my children’s past failings. Help me to teach them to seek their strength in a friendship with You as they continue to struggle in their quest for virtue.
Frustration with our sins is a sign of pride. If I am not surprised by my weakness, perhaps I will be more likely to seek help from the graces of the sacraments. Help me to be more consistent in receiving You in the Eucharist and seeking Your mercy in the sacrament of Confession.