The Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time

On his approach to Golgotha, Jesus must bear his own cross; his own kind of punishment. It's
massive, constructed of wood, and he's already frail due to his crown of thorns. So it's
understandable that he'd trip. But I believe the most powerful picture is that he gets back up.
We've had times this year when we've been exhausted and don't want to go on. Jesus knows
when we become exhausted and fall since it happened to him as well. The initial strike appeared
to be the most powerful. The first time we weren't successful as a community or felt unsuccessful
at work, it took a toll on us and kept us down for a while. But the truth is that we got back up and
kept going. We adapted and discovered new methods to get ahead. When we fall, we often feel
the weight of everything on our shoulders and wonder how we will be able to continue.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I pray for you and everyone in heaven, hoping they are as content as I am.
I hope that one day we will all be able to get along and be happy together.
I hope for those who are not as nice to get closer to you and everyone around them.
I pray for those who have little or nothing so that they might be happy even if they don't have
what they need.
I'm grateful for what I have and what I'll have in the future.
I thank you for the people in my life, the possessions I have, the love I give and receive, and the
opportunity to love and forgive one another.
I thank you for my health, which allows me to strive to be a better person every day; I thank you
for my legs, which allow me to walk on your beautiful land; I thank you for my eyes, which
allow me to see the wonderful things in life; and I thank you for allowing me to be myself.
Please bless those in need and those in pain, so that they may be cured by death or medication.
You are our rescuer and our leader. God, our God. You gave your life for us and demanded
nothing in return.
Amen