Holy Week

Station 1: Hopes and dreams

PAUSE

The Easter Story begins with Palm Sunday. People in Jesus’ land were longing for a leader who would rid them of the Roman soldiers who occupied their land and were convinced that Jesus was this person, the Messiah.

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey with his disciples that day for the annual celebration of Passover, the crowds went wild, cheering and throwing palm branches in his path. “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord,” they shouted.

They were full of joyful expectation, but the religious leaders were angry and suspicious and began to plot to kill Jesus.

PONDER

When the religious leaders told Jesus to silence his followers, Jesus said, ‘If the crowds were silent the very stones would cry out.’

What do you think Jesus meant?

PRAY

Take a stone and as you hold it, think of the dreams and hopes you have for the future. Then place it in the cairn beneath the cross at the end of the road

Station 2: Servant King

PAUSE

Jesus met with his friends to celebrate the Passover meal. In a hot and dusty land, feet in open sandals get very dirty. It was the task of the lowest slave in the household to wash the feet of guests when they arrived. But it’s Jesus who takes a towel and lovingly bends down to wash the feet of his disciples. Then he tells his disciples that they must follow his example of humble service.

PONDER

Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no feet but yours, no hands but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which the compassion
of Christ is to look out on a hurting world.
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about the world.
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless all now.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

PRAY

Dip your fingers in the water and make a sign of the cross on your hands as a sign of your desire to serve others in this way.

Station 3: Remember Me

PAUSE

During Jesus’ ministry, he often shared meals with outcasts – ‘tax-collectors and sinners’. He ate with his friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus; he provided wine at the wedding in Cana; he saw to it that the hungry crowds were fed. Tonight he shares the Passover meal with his closest friends and disciples in full knowledge that Judas will betray him and the rest will desert him in fear. Yet he wants them to remember this night.

As he breaks bread and gives it to them, he says:
“Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”

Again, when he offers them the cup of wine, he says:
“This is my blood poured out for you. Drink this as sign of God’s faithfulness and his forgiveness of your sins.”

Christians continue to break bread and drink wine together in the service of Holy Communion. By doing so they recall God’s action in sending Jesus and encounter this gift of love as a reality today.

PONDER

A particular phrase, certain objects, places, music, even smells bring back memories of people we have loved.
How do you remember those people who have been important to you in your life?

PRAY

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Station 4: Alone

PAUSE

After the meal was over, Jesus went out with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. He wanted to pray to his Father as he knew that he would soon be arrested and sentenced to death.

He asked his friends to keep watch with him, but they were very tired and fell asleep. In the darkness, Jesus felt very alone as he struggled to accept what was to befall him.

PONDER

Think of the times in your life when you have felt alone or afraid and uncertain of what the morning will bring.

If you find it helpful, take a stone and hold it tightly.

PRAY

Hold the stone in your cupped hands (or bring the situation to mind) and hear these words of Jesus:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Leave your stone in the garden.

Station 5: Sharing Our Sorrows

PAUSE

Jesus was condemned to death by the authorities and soldiers led Jesus outside the walls of Jerusalem to Golgotha which means ‘the place of the skull’. A crown of thorns was placed on his head. They nailed him to the cross and fastened a notice to it that read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ While they waited for Jesus to die, the soldiers cast dice to see which one of them could have Jesus’ robe for themselves.

When Jesus became thirsty, they offered him a sponge soaked in vinegar. At three o’clock that day Jesus died. Because Jesus suffered and died as one of us, but rose again, the cross is a sign of hope for anyone who is suffering.

PONDER

Use the words on one of the crosses or think of situations of pain and suffering known to you. Reflect on how the cross of Christ might be a sign of hope for those people.

PRAY

Spend some time before the cross.

"We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you; by your holy cross you have redeemed the world."