Station II Jesus takes up his cross
Station II
Jesus takes up his cross
John 19:16-17
Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took charge of Jesus. He went out, carrying his cross, and came to “The Place of the Skull,” as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called “Golgotha.”)
Wisdom 1:12-20
Do not bring on your own death by sinful actions. God did not invent death, and when living creatures die, it gives him no pleasure. He created everything so that it might continue to exist, and everything he created is wholesome and good. There is no deadly poison in them. No, death does not rule this world, for God’s justice does not die. Ungodly people have brought death on themselves by the things they have said and done. They yearn for death as if it were a lover. They have gone into partnership with death, and it is just what they deserve.
Prayer
Cross-carrying Christ, burdened with the sin of the world,
Embracing death so death may die,
We cry out in grief and pain for all those held hostage by hate,
In partnership with death,
And all whose every waking moment expects death.
Help them cling to the hope that death does not rule this world:
That God’s justice will have the final word.
Through Love stronger than death. Amen.