Hi friends. It’s Holy Week, and I wanted to share images and reflections I wrote a few years ago for a Stations of the Cross event at church. There are 14 Stations adapted for Substack and socials, so I’ll be sending out more emails than usual this week. Feel free to read what you like and skip what you need to, or read them all next Friday. Regardless of how you go about it, I invite you to reflect on the image, Scripture passage, and meditation/reflection question in each email.
He went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he told them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he got up from prayer and came to the disciples, he found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you won’t fall into temptation.”
Luke 22:39-46
Like the disciples, you are invited into this week to pray and to “keep your eyes open” with Jesus in His suffering. Jesus’ agony is not yet bodily at this point, but his soul is in anguish over what is to come.
It is so easy to give up and want to close our eyes (or “fall asleep” so to speak) when we are overwhelmed by news cycles, grim statistics, and the horrors of war. But when we think of those throughout the world who are lost, hungry, lonely, grieving, and poor, we can call to mind Jesus’ anguish and remember that He is a Savior who can identify with every kind of suffering.
As you trace the steps of Jesus this week, you will be invited to pay attention, pray, and respond as you consider that Christ is acquainted with and cares for not only all of your griefs, but the griefs of those around the world.