FIRST STATION
JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

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

From the Gospel according to Matthew – Chapter 27.
Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them…shouted…”Let him be crucified!” So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

Meditation
The Judge of the world, who will come again to judge us all, stand there, dishonored and defenseless before an earthly judge. Pilate is not utterly evil. He knows that the condemned man is innocent, and he looks for a way to free him. But his heart is divided. And in the end he lets his own position, his own self-interest, prevail over what is right. Nor are the men who are shouting and demanding the death of Jesus utterly evil. Many of them, on the day of Pentecost, will feel “cut to the heart” (Acts2:37) when Peter will say to them: “Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God…you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law” (Acts 2:22ff)…The quiet voice of conscience is drowned out by the cries of the crowd. Evil draws its power from indecision and concern for what other people think.

Prayer
Lord, you were condemned to death because fear of what other people may think suppressed the voice of conscience…Strengthen the quiet voice of our conscience, your own voice, in our lives. Look at us as you looked at Peter after his denial. Let your gaze penetrate our hearts and indicate the direction our lives must take…Grant us, ever anew, the grace of conversion!

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Stabat Mater: At the cross her station keeping, stood the mournful mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last.