2. JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.” - MLK Grant me patience, O Christ, to follow the road you have taken. Let my confidence rest not in my own understanding but in your guiding hand; let my desires be not for my own comfort, but for the completion of your kingdom; for your cross is my hope and my joy, now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

The Way of the Cross

1. JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - MLK Christ Jesus, though human perversion of justice condemned you to die, all judgement has been placed in your hand; Keep me, I pray from false judgements against both my friends and my enemies, that I might stand before you, forgiven by your great mercy love. Amen.

3. JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.” - MLK O God, you know that my world is full of danger and that because of my human frailty I can not always face what lies in my path; give me the strength to face the road ahead and to get up when dangers and temptations cause me to fall, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Via Sacra

5. THE CROSS IS LAID ON SIMON OF CYRENE

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” - MLK

Christ Jesus, by your condemnation I am acquitted, in your death I have life, and in on your cross lies my hope; keep me mindful of your boundless love and I am called, like simon, to bear your cross, make me glad to be considered worthy to be united to your perfect sacrifice. Amen.

4. JESUS MEETS HIS AFFLICTED MOTHER “We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” - MLK Jesus, your mother watched your passion and death in deep sorrow; comfort all those you must stand helpless while those they love suffer and hear the cries of all victims of terror and abuse; help me, I pray, to use what strength I have offer comfort, support, and protection, with your love and tenderness. Amen.

6. A WOMAN WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” - MLK

Teach me to see your face and find its reflection in every act of mercy and compassion, and in every person; by your Spirit, change me so that I may ever more reflect your image, that through my life your light may shine in this dark world. Amen.

7. JESUS FALLS A SECOND TIME “Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” - MLK

Jesus you know that I fall and fall again; seek me out when I am down, I pray, and recall me to you; in your strength, let me stand and walk secure, for your passion and death is my salvation and life. Amen.

8. JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” - MLK

Grant, O Christ, that I may be a comfort to those who mourn, and that in times of difficulty I may find the confidence to stand and accomplish your loving purposes. Amen.

9. JESUS FALLS A THIRD TIME “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” - MLK

Save me from all false pride and keep me from despair; that in strength or weakness I may face life’s difficulties and challenges seeking to serve you and to accomplish your will, for the sake of your love. Amen.

10. JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” - MLK Christ Jesus, you stood before all the world, with no one beside you and nothing to protect you, exposed to ridicule and grievously wounded: make me strong in the face of suffering, and as you suffered such cruelty, make me abhor all injustice and violence. Amen.

11. JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.” - MLK

Bring me so close to your cross, O Christ, that I hear your voice, and let me rest my hope in your promise of welcome and forgiveness for the whole world. Amen.

13. THE BODY OF JESUS IS PLACED IN THE ARMS OF HIS MOTHER

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” - MLK

For the sake of your Blessed Mother, who was stricken with grief: be comfort and strength to all those who are bereaved; be light and hope to the dying and bring us all, I pray, through life’s sorrows to the unending joy of heaven. Amen.

14. JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

“I have decided to stick to love...Hate is too great a burden to bear.” - MLK

Christ Jesus, as your body was laid in a tomb, you descended into hell, to break its ancient doors and free those held in its grasp; Give me, I pray, release from my waywardness and confidence that I need never be separated from you. Amen.

Saint John’s Cathedral’s Stations of the Cross Needlepointers:Diana Boubin, Nina Churchman, Pera Beth Eichelberger, Judy Hardart, Nancy Hawthorne, Ginger O’Neill, Sandy Morris, Karen Swenson, Linda Teves, Janet Thompson, Joan Von der Heiden, and Betsy Johnson Welty (Designer)

12. JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

“A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live.” - MLK

By your death, O Christ, we are given life; help me receive this great gift with awe and humility, and let me life be no longer mine, but yours, now and to the day of eternity. Amen.