LEADER: Lord Jesus, the works of artists give us a window to help us see you. As we use the film The Passion of the Christ to follow your steps on the day you died for us, spiritually unite us with the reality of your suffering and death so that we can know you better, love you more, and imitate you in what we do and say.
ALL: Amen.
AT EACH STATION
LEADER: The [number] Station of the Cross, [name the station]
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
ALL: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world!
The First Station
Pilate Condemns Christ
READER 1: “The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.”
— Luke 23:24-5
READER 2: In the film, Pilate condemned Jesus because of vanity — he was worried what others would think. Caiaphas condemned Jesus because of pride — he wanted his way, no matter what. Herod condemned Jesus because of sensuality — he was indifferent to whatever failed to entertain or interest him. What about me? Which of these most often drives my sins? What can I do about it?
LEADER: Lord Jesus, help us to imitate the loving way you accepted your Father’s will — even though it meant others would be set against you, humiliate you, and cause you great pain. Amen.
ALL: Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
The Second Station
Jesus Accepts His Cross
READER 1: “And carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.”
— John 19:17
READER 2: The film contrasts the two thieves crucified with Christ. The bad thief ridicules Christ for accepting his cross. We can presume the bad thief’s life up to that point consisted in getting what he wanted by doing whatever he could get away with. I, too, try to get by with the minimum as I seek to please myself. What crosses do I reject?
LEADER: Lord Jesus, the good thief accepted his cross in the end, and it brought him to paradise. Help me to accept the crosses you send me for my sanctification. Amen.
ALL: Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
The Third Station
Jesus Falls the First Time
READER 1: “No slave is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name.”
— John 15:20-21
READER 2: In the film, Jesus’ followers were distressed when they saw Christ condemned in the courtyard, then scourged, then burdened with the cross. But they still might have expected him to rise up and strike down the Romans at last. When he fell, it began to hit home. The soldiers were winning! Setbacks and failures in my life test my faith, too. How quick am I to doubt when the chips are down?
LEADER: Lord Jesus, it is easy to speak with eloquence about the cross. But you know that the cross isn’t eloquent. It’s real — hard and heavy. Give me the grace to reject discouragement anyway, just like you did. Amen.
ALL: Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
The Fourth Station
Jesus Meets His Mother
READER 1: “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’”
— John 19:26-27
READER 2: The film shows Mary’s concern for Christ — both as a child and as an adult. What great sorrow she feels at the suffering inflicted on her son! But it’s my sins that Christ is suffering for. It’s my guilt he carries. Do I count myself among those who caused Mary this great sorrow?
LEADER: Lord Jesus, thank you for making your mother our mother, too — we take comfort in our trials when she tells us, “I’m here.” Amen.
ALL: Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
The Fifth Station
Simon Helps Carry the Cross
READER 1: “As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.”
— Matthew 27:32
READER 2: In the movie, Simon’s human nature, like ours, balks at the idea of carrying the cross with Christ. But once he starts, it’s hard to stop. As deadly as sin is, virtue is even more powerful. What about me? Am I still stuck in that moment of indecision, not willing to say Yes or No to the cross?
LEADER: Lord Jesus, when I am afflicted by the cross, help me remember that it is you and me, together, arms around each other, carrying the cross up the hill. Amen.
ALL: Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
The Sixth Station
Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
READER 1: “Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins.”
— 1 Peter 4:8
READER 2: Charity can cover up a multitude of sins, St. Peter says. Veronica shows that. Of all the people in the crowd, she stands out because of her charity. I love Christ, and his suffering pains me. Have I translated that love into action, or am I like those who merely stand on the sidelines and weep?
LEADER: Lord Jesus, you rewarded Veronica’s charity by giving her your true image. Help us always remember that we only find happiness by serving the needs of others, not our own. Amen.
ALL: Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
The Seventh Station
Jesus Falls the Second Time
READER 1: “Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.”
— Philippians 2:6-8
READER 2: In the film, Christ isn’t an Achilles or a Superman. He doesn’t carry the cross with physical perfection. He falls over and over again. How often do I make the perfect the enemy of the good in my spiritual life? Do I realize Christ doesn’t expect perfection — but he does expect sacrifice?
LEADER: Lord Jesus, I long to finally learn the lesson of your humility. Help me always to struggle to become more holy — even when I fall again and again. Amen.
ALL: Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
The Eighth Station
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
READER 1: “A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children.’”
— Luke 23:27-28
READER 2: The weeping women are shown only briefly in the film as Christ makes his way through the crowd on the way of the cross. But in a sense, the movie itself puts us, the viewers, in the position these women were in. We watch Christ’s suffering, and we are deeply moved. But have we gone to the next step, as Christ requests? Have we looked more deeply at our own lives?
LEADER: Lord Jesus, don’t let us be content with watching you pass by. Give us the grace to take up our cross and follow you. Amen.
ALL: Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
The Ninth Station
Jesus Falls the Third Time
READER 1: “Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.”
— 1 Peter 5:8-9
READER 2: In the film, Satan follows Christ to the cross. He is delighted by each of his falls. Satan failed to defeat God when he revolted in heaven. He failed to tempt Christ in the desert. The way of the cross convinces him that he has won after all. Do I ever give Satan reason to think he is winning? By persisting in sin, do I tell him that Christ’s death was in vain?
LEADER: Lord Jesus, the film’s ending reminds us that you vanquished Satan for all eternity. Don’t let me give in to his lies. When I fall, give me the grace to get up again and foil the plans of my enemy by uniting myself with your sacrifice. Amen.
ALL: Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
The Tenth Station
Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments