The Sixth Station – Jesus falls for the second time.
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We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading

Psalm 38:6-22 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
all day long I go around mourning.
For my loins are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh.
I am utterly spent and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart.
O Lord, all my longing is known to you; my sighing is not hidden from you.
My heart throbs, my strength fails me;
as for the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
My friends and companions stand aloof from my affliction,
and my neighbours stand far off.
Those who seek my life lay their snares;
those who seek to hurt me speak of ruin,
and meditate treachery all day long.
But I am like the deaf, I do not hear;
like the mute, who cannot speak.
Truly, I am like one who does not hear,
and in whose mouth is no retort.
But it is for you, O Lord, that I wait;
it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
For I pray, “Only do not let them rejoice over me,
those who boast against me when my foot slips.”
For I am ready to fall,
and my pain is ever with me.
I confess my iniquity;
I am sorry for my sin.
Those who are my foes without cause are mighty,
and many are those who hate me wrongfully.
Those who render me evil for good
are my adversaries because I follow after good.
Do not forsake me, O Lord;
O my God, do not be far from me;
make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation.

Meditation

The burdens that some people bear are very great indeed.  Poverty, sorrow, grief, anger, despair, terror, to name but a few.  It is a strange thing to note that in our western world with its technological prowess and development where seemingly, anything and everything is possible many people are living lives of quiet desperation.  Jesus knows.  Jesus understands.  Jesus walks the same path as those who suffer.  He bears a burden that threatens to crush him – yet he does not cry out: Why me?  What have I done to deserve this?  He knows that swell as beauty and truth and love the world is full of pain and grief.  As I look at this station I see Jesus the “God with us” who is ready and willing to experience and suffer every human experience – even those that cause us to be brought to our knees.  When I am in pain and sorrow, anger or despair, self loathing, abandoned by friends – He is there.  I am part of His load that He carries for me.

Question

Do I only think of God in the good times, when everything is going well and as expected?  Can I believe that Jesus walks with me through pain and doubt and helps me bear terrible suffering?  Can I then share with Him those things that I suffer?

Our Father………..Glory be……………Hail Mary………….

Prayer

Jesus, help me to bring all my burdens to the foot of your cross and join my suffering with yours, and have the humility to let you carry my joys and my griefs for you are the God of all things.  Amen

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