HOLY SATURDAY NIGHT – VIGIL OF EASTER . Year B - SATURDAY, 2024 (Longer Liturgy of the Easter VIGIL)

HOLY SATURDAY NIGHT – VIGIL OF EASTER. Year B - SATURDAY, 2024 (Longer Liturgy of the Easter VIGIL)

 

(This is the whole vigil of Readings and Holy Saturday Mass – It is traditionally much longer than the usual Mass and filled with ancient beauty and profound symbolism)
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily) for HOLY SATURDAY NIGHT – VIGIL OF EASTER. Year B – SATURDAY 2024, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-holy-saturday-night-the-vigil-of-easter-year-b-2024-episode/s-v55QH6iUEoc

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The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night

STRUCTURE OF THE CEREMONY
I. The Solemn Beginning of the Vigil (also known as "Lucernarium"):  Blessing of the Fire, Procession, Exsultet

II. The Liturgy of Word:           Readings/psalms/prayers, Gloria, Homily

III. Renewal of baptism

IV. The Liturgy of Eucharist:    Preface of Easter I, (Easter Communicantes, Hanc igitur in Euch. Prayer I)

V. The Concluding Rites:         Dismissal with Alleluia

READINGS:       
I     Gen 1:1 - 2:2: God saw all he had made, and indeed it was good.
Ps 103:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35: R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

II    Gen 22:1-18: Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac.
Ps 15:5, 8-11: R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

III  Ex 14:15 - 15:1: Tell the children of Israel to march on, to walk through the sea on dry ground.
Ex 15:1-6, 17-18: R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

IV  Is 54:5-14: But with everlasting love I have taken pity on you, says the Lord, your redeemer.
Ps 29:2, 4-6, 11-13: R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

V   Is 55:1-11: Come to me and your soul will live. With you I will make an everlasting covenant.
Is 12:2-6: R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

VI  Baruch 3:9-15,32 - 4:4: Walk in the way of God and you will live in peace forever.
Ps 18:8-11: R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

VII Ezek 36:16-28: I shall pour clean water over you and I shall give you a new heart.
Ps 41:3, 5; 42:3, 4: R. Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Rom 6:3-11: Christ, having been raised from the dead, will never die again.
Ps 117:1-2, 16-17, 22-23: R. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Mark 16:1-8:  Do not be alarmed. He has been raised!

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Illustration ID: 585677387 - Easter resurrection - abstract artistic religious digital illustration with the figure of the risen Jesus Christ and the cross of light rays - Illustration Formats. Illustration Contributor: Thoom

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Christ is Risen!    He is Risen indeed.   Christ is risen; as he said!!  
A spiritual writer once said … and put it so beautifully for us who have been keeping vigil in meditation and prayer, right up until this wonderful night…..

 

He writes:

"One of the powerful things that Easter says to us today, is this: You can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there. You can nail truth to a cross, or wrap it in winding sheets;  and shut it in a tomb, but it will rise again! "   (Clarence W. Hall).

 

Tonight we celebrate the fact that Christ has risen….he has Risen Indeed! 

 

He, who IS the way, the truth and the Life…..  could not possibly be held in death's grasp for too long. He broke free and promises us eternal life too.

 

God has the final say over the tensions and tragedies of life…..… and it is good news….    God says "yes" to the goodness of creation and "Yes" to each one of us……  it was right to remain faithful //   our hope in his promises is fulfilled…..

 

EASTER IS ABOUT FAMILY – first and foremost – we are all one family of God…  God loves us and cares about us…  and is faithful us forever……   and desires with all his heart that we love others with his heart too…Easter is also about our own individual families (sharing time for family, or if we are not able to be with them this easter, certainly giving thanks for the gift of them in our lives…)…..and giving thanks to God for the many ways in which God brings us to the fullness of life even on this side of Heaven.

 

 

We give thanks for our FAMILY, our friends….and    for so many graces and blessings we have received in life…  to nurture us and give us strength and joy……

 

Easter is the perfect time for celebrating Baptisms and welcoming people into our church communion…….    We give thanks for those who will be baptized and received into the church this season. God's gentle grace has led them here… and their decision is a great source of renewal and thanksgiving for the whole community.

 

Easter is not only about the promise of everlasting life in heaven,..// ..  there are so many ways in which Jesus' rising from the dead is a sign of God's constant work to "bring us out of the entombment" that we can experience in our lives…// // Tonight  is also about the real promise that "God can and does" want us to be "fully alive".,… //  and renewed in spirit and mind…. and brought to life again from so many things that can sap the life out of us…. weigh us down….  and imprison us……   whether it be fear, guilt, pain, illness, doubt, grief……   or countless other equally painful struggles….

 

Anyone who has ever gone through a "dark night of the soul" in their life, (and that is each of us at one time or another)…….and has come through the other end and now finds themselves in a renewed place, raised up again,  (never imagining that they would be in this new space) but here they are!!!….with the help of God's grace, (shown by the helping hands of family, friends, colleagues, ….and so many other ways…)….   anyone who has gone through this can testify…   Christ really IS at work brining us to new life (in so many ways)……    and Tonight  we give thanks for this…. and pray for those who continue to hope and trust in God's faithfulness….  // God's love and care for us will never fail….. God effects resurrection IN our lives, in ways beyond our expectations….. beyond our presumptions or in ways different from the literal limits of our requests …..   Often, we only recognize a 'resurrection moment in our lives' with a kind of 'dawning realization'  - like Mary Magdalene:  thinking that someone had hidden the body of our Lord….. searching and praying that she might find where they had hidden his body….…   and not at first realizing that her prayers had been answered in this man she initially mistakes for a gardener, (but no, it is the Lord himself)…..

 

May the Lord of the resurrection bless you and renew you with fullness of life – here and now (and forever)…. 

Lord, this -- new day dawns…!!"

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Illustration ID: 585677387 - Easter resurrection - abstract artistic religious digital illustration with the figure of the risen Jesus Christ and the cross of light rays - Illustration Formats. Illustration Contributor:
Thoom


HOLY SATURDAY NIGHT – VIGIL OF EASTER . Year B - SATURDAY, 2024 (Longer Liturgy of the Easter VIGIL)

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PREFACE: Preface I of Easter
Euch prayer I

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Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks


Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants  — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009,  The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful -   " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'.   E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria,  Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly.  Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Quiet Time."  Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.

Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: -      Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

Editing equipment:    NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[Production -  KER -  2024]
May God bless and keep you.
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Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord March 29th 2024 . (For you at Home).

Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord

March 29^th 2024 . (For you at Home).

 

LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12
Psalm: Ps 30:2. 6. 12-13. 15-17. 25. "Father, I put my life in your hands"
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Gospel Acclamation: Philippians 2:8-9
Passion: John 18:1 - 19:42
Homily
Solemn Intercessions
Spiritual Veneration of the Cross
Communion
Departure in Silence

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Image ID: Road to Calvary, through golden Palms.  Gold Coast. 2024

Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers, and reflections for Good Friday Passion -  by 

clicking this link here:

https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/good-friday-passion-of-the-lord-3pm-service-abc-2024/s-ogFTH4pMry7  

   

THE LORD'S PASSION - Good Friday Message.

One could be forgiven for becoming really cynical about today's world and about human nature. Those who go on rampages of vandalism, violence and fear, robbing and frightening vulnerable people in their homes. The endless stories on the news of people taking advantage of others for their own pragmatic gain, not treating others as if they were brothers and sisters, and all the wars and suffering and poverty and injustice, the logic of this world would say the world is going to the dogs.

 

And certainly, there's no doubt that there are very serious social, economic, ethical and human dignity issues facing our world and our society. We are right to be extremely concerned. In fact, our Lord came to save the world because the world was, and still is, in dire need of saving.

 

The truth is we cannot fix it all by ourselves. We can't lift ourselves up by our own bootstraps. We need our Lord to save us from ourselves.

 

The challenge though, is to realistically and pragmatically face these issues and so many real world obstacles, but with profound Christian hope, commitment to respecting our Lord's blessed gospel, which saves us and gives us life, which renews us. Christ, of course, lived so perfectly his gospel in his body and his life, and so profoundly he revealed in his sufferings and death this love to save us all, to such immense faithfulness and fruitfulness for the entire world. In Christian hope, even in the face of the worst that can happen in this world, or in the course of our life's journey, Jesus' way of life and of love is a welcome beacon of hope and a pathway through the darkness.

 

Today, particularly this afternoon, our Lord shows us that the only real answer is one that utterly respects the profound humanity of all people, and hoping and deciding to act in ways that speak of the kind of world Jesus lived and died to usher in.

 

To the eyes of faith, and to generations who have followed Christ after that first Good Friday of the crucifixion, for over 2,000 years and including us today, this is Good Friday, a very, very Good Friday, because Christ shows us that God never gives up on us, never turns away from the reality of our human life and our suffering. God, revealed so beautifully in Jesus, will not spare himself of anything, even suffering and death, to keep faith with us, to keep solidarity with us.

 

And so this is a very Good Friday, because ultimately God has the last word on everything. And God's last word on everything is a word of hope, a word of dignity and justice, a word of true and unreserved love. Despite the cynical but very real things that get thrown up at us as we walk through life currently, our God is with us, and not just from a distance, but right there with us, suffering along with us.

 

Today is not so much about see how awful humans have been to God throughout history, but rather see how faithful, how loving, how merciful, how compassionate our Lord has always been to his beloved people, and always will be. We fall at our Lord's feet in worship and amazement and thanksgiving. Today we praise Jesus for his goodness and faithfulness to us, which excels all we ever knew.

 

God has given us more than we could possibly have hoped for or imagined. Every year without fail, meditating on this moving account of the passion of our Lord Jesus, we're inspired and renewed. We're filled with a sense of awe.

 

It cuts straight to the heart and lays bare our deepest hopes and our greatest fears. The power of Christ's death on the cross is humbling. Today we silently contemplate how much God loves us, how much he gave up for us, for our sake.

 

There can be no greater love than this. Jesus' betrayal and arrest the previous evening, his unjust trial in which he was really found to be innocent, even in the flawed civil Roman courts, but nevertheless unjustly sentenced to a criminal's death in place of a real criminal, how ironic, because that's what Jesus has done for everyone who has ever sinned, taken our place, in love, to save us. In any case, because of the insistence of the hysterical crowd, they trade our Lord in for a common criminal, a murderer.

 

Only the eyes of faith could describe this Friday as Good Friday, but it truly is, because nothing can destroy God's faithfulness to his beloved people, nothing can separate us from the love of God revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord, nothing can defeat the power of God's love. Even when we can't imagine that some actions could ever be forgiven, or that there could be any hope beyond many of life's tragedies…..    it is Jesus himself who keeps faith with us.  He pleads to the Father that we will embrace the forgiveness and compassion that is truly offered to us and to all. God keeps telling us that we really are truly and unconditionally loved, no matter what may happen.

 

We know that even when everything bad was thrown at Jesus, he continued to respond in love, not hate, in peace, not violence, in mercy, not revenge, and Jesus' faithfulness to the Father and to his people is so inspiring.

 

God crucified all that was death-dealing in life on the cross, robbing it of its final power.

 

We know throughout history, and even to this day, groups can turn very nasty, violent, hateful.

 

They can be stirred up by mob mentalities. They can allow fear and bigotry to be given a voice. And once it's been given a voice, voices become actions and great evil can occur.

 

How many people at Jesus' trial really wanted him executed? And how many just went along with the emotion of the crowd, caught up in the palpable wave of hatred, jealousy and excitement, possibly even fear, that had erupted? The cross of Christ stands as a reminder that although we are members of various communities and groups, first and foremost, each one of us is standing before the cross of Christ, and is asked to make our own personal yes to Jesus, and our own personal no to peer pressure and unthinking trends, shifting values, temporary values, that can assail us from every direction in this modern world. Values that are not consistent with Christ's life, and which deny the dignity and justice that every single child of God deserves, that is, every person. In a short while, we will come before the wood of the cross, where Christ reveals his unconditional love for us, and he asks us to say yes to the life he gives us.

 

In a short while, in this same liturgy today, we will approach the wood of the cross -   and we will bow to it, or genuflect. We will make a profound personal veneration before the wood of Christ's cross. This is our own individual way of saying yes to the values of Jesus, who withstood the enormous pressures of huge numbers of people, to be faithful to the Father's vision, for a world of mercy and justice, and above all, love, which doesn't stop to count the cost, and which gives without hope of return.

 

Christ's cross is to be found reflected in all who suffer, those who mourn, those who have been rejected, those who are experiencing injustice. The cross is patterned in the hearts of all who endure illness or pain. Christ's cross is a silent yes to all who long to be forgiven for past mistakes and sins, but don't dare believe that they can be freed from the guilt and shame.

 

The cross is also found in the experiences of people who are persecuted, or those who are experiencing fear, violence, injustice, or unrest anywhere in the world, whether it be in some faraway country racked with dictatorship, or in the house next door to us, or in our own home. This is a good Friday, and the cross is revealed as the wisdom and power of God, and it reveals Christ, who is the embodiment of truth. Most of all, it reveals God's constant and utter love.

 

A spiritual writer once said, and said it so beautifully, "one of the powerful things that Easter says to us today is this, you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there. You can nail truth to a cross, or wrap it up in winding sheets and shut it in a tomb, but it will rise again." (Quote from Clarence W. Hall)

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References:
Fr Paul Kelly

Image ID: Road to Calvary, through golden Palms.   Gold Coast. 2024
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Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants  — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009,  The Grail - Collins publishers.
May God bless and keep you.  

KER 2024

 

THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS -- GOOD FRIDAY MORNING (FOR YOU AT HOME) (Traditional with Scriptural connections).

THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS -- GOOD FRIDAY MORNING (FOR YOU AT HOME) (Traditional with Scriptural connections).

 

(Image Shutterstockq licensed Photo ID Stock Illustration ID: 594395513 - Way of the cross or stations of the cross silhouettes of Jesus Christ carrying his cross on Calvary hill, with cloudy dark sky and sun light rays. Abstract Religious Lent illustration. - Illustration Contributor: Thoom) .

Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Good Friday Stations of the Cross- by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/good-friday-morning-stations-of-the-cross-abc-2024/s-6FQuIcabQTM

  

THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS - Good Friday

LEADER: (GOES TO THE LECTERN AND BEGINS)

LEADER:
Let us pray
(that the Lord will teach us his ways through this prayer journey to Calvary).
Lord Jesus, as we begin this journey of the Stations of the Cross, help us to see that it was a journey of love for you. May we learn from this journey how to follow you more closely. We ask that you help us to accept the love for all people that you bear. Who live and reign forever and ever.


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STATION NUMBER: ONE

The First Station: Jesus is condemned to death.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

Reading
Many gave false testimony against Jesus, and their testimony did not agree. However, he was silent and did not answer. Again, the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus said, "I am; and
'you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power,'
and 'coming with the clouds of heaven.' "
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?" All of them condemned him as deserving death.[1][2]

(Jesus was unjustly judged. He was innocent. Even Pilate declared him innocent. Nevertheless, he was condemned unjustly. There is only one true judge and that is God……… Have there been times that I have rushed to judgement against others. Have I spoken about others in ways that lead to them being rejected and treated in ways that do not respect their human dignity)?
ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.

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STATION NUMBER: TWO
THE SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading
Jesus called the people and his disciples to him and said, "If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let them renounce themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save their life will lose it; but anyone who loses their life for my sake, and for the sake of the Gospel, will save it".[3]

(Our Lord took up his cross and carried it for us all. How can we carry our burdens and struggles in ways that give hope and encouragement to others? Do we take our burdens and worries to the Lord? Do we help others by offering encouragement and support, in their times of struggle? How do we ensure that we do not overburden others with unnecessary personal demands and optional needs? - to lighten other's load, and not lay unnecessary burdens on them?).

ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.

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STATION NUMBER: THREE

LEADER: THE THIRD STATION: JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading
He has broken my teeth with gravel, pressed my face in the dust; My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is. [4]
………
Jesus said to his disciples: "I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have troubles but be brave: I have conquered the world."[5]

(Our Lord fell from exhaustion. Can we share our failures and struggles with Jesus, because he has shared in our physical frailty and knows our temptations and understands our weakness and pain? Are we gentle around others whose frailty and weakness visible? Are we gentle on ourselves in our own frailty? For all those who experience weakness in body, mind or spirit, may the Lord help them and lift them up. May we be willing to help up those who have fallen in one way or another).
ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.

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STATION NUMBER: FOUR

LEADER: The Fourth Station: Jesus meets his mother.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading
As the child's father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected - and a sword will pierce your own soul too - so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare."[6]

(The Blessed Virgin Mary pondered and worried about Jesus all her life. Mary treasured all these events of Our Lord life, storing them up in her heart. Our Lady remained faithful to her beloved Son in good times and bad. Are we prepared to say "yes" to Our Lord and what he asks of us, (even if it leads to suffering and pain)? Can we draw strength from Mary who experienced confusion and wonder during her life, and also suffered the unimaginable pain of accompanying her son along his Passion? Mary suffering emotionally and spiritually at the foot of Our Lord's cross).

ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross on Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.

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STATION NUMBER: FIVE

LEADER: The Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading
As they were leading him away they seized a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus.[7]

(Simon was a traveler who was forced to help carry Our Lord' cross. How can we willingly help others in their burdens and struggles, to ease the pain? As a community, no one person is isolated from others. We are one people of God. We need to support and help each other. We are all the body of Christ and individually members of the Body. If one member suffers, all members suffer. Do we acknowledge our responsibility to the church and the wider community, as brothers and sisters in one family of God? Do we voluntarily do what is right and good – are we proactive- or do we often only respond when asked or when it is demanded of us? Can we be more open to respond willingly to the needs of others and our Christian calling).

ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.

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STATION NUMBER: SIX

LEADER: The Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading

"Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father."[8]

"For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me; in prison and you came to see me. I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me."[9]

"Even as many were amazed at Him — so marred was His look beyond that of person, and His appearance beyond that of mortals — So shall He startle many nations, because of Him kings shall stand speechless."[10]

(Veronica wiped the face of Jesus. Can we recognize the face of Our Lord in everyone we meet, especially those most in need? Do we serve Jesus by the way we treat those around us? In what ways do we offer comfort and strength to those who are struggling? Veronica means "true face" – do we seek, in our lives and our prayer, the true face of Christ in others and in the world. Do we live our lives so that others can recognize the face of Christ in us and our actions).

ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.

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STATION NUMBER: SEVEN

LEADER: The Seventh Station: Jesus falls the second time

We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading
"Yet he was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On him lies a punishment that brings us peace and through his wounds we are healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and the Lord burdened him with the sins of all of us."[11]

I was hard pressed and was falling, but the Lord helped Me.[12]

We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.[13]

(Our Lord fell the second time. We know weakness and struggle in our lives. Can we share our fears and failures with Our Lord? And can we trust in his love, his hope, and his forgiveness and strength? Are we patient with our own infirmities and weaknesses? Are we patient with the weaknesses of others? How do we react when others fall – emotionally, morally or spiritually? Are we there to support and help them up? At times, rather than help and support, do we condemn and let people fall lower in confidence and hope)

ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.

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STATION NUMBER: EIGHT
LEADER: The Eighth Station: The women of Jerusalem mourn for Jesus.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading
A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. …For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"[14] [15]

(Even in the midst of Our Lord' unimaginable suffering and pain, he stops to show concern for the women and their families. He never stops thinking of others even when he is enduring terribly suffering? Do I focus on the needs of others or do my needs demand most of the attention? Even in this terrible suffering, Jesus reminds us and the women of Jerusalem that there are many different things to cry about, but he (incredibly) is saying that we shouldn't weep about his suffering but rather all the other things that are in need of change and justice. He wants them to weep for change and for conversion of heart, that would do some good. How can we make sure that our lives help to spread the good news of Jesus? How can we ensure that our attitudes and actions do not prove an obstacle in the path of what God wants to do in the world? We have come here today to commemorate and worship our Lord, who died to save us…. We mourn for his suffering, but Our Lord, again turns to us, and says, weep not for me… weep for yourselves and your ways… make a change.. change your heart. your attitudes… your condemnations.. your double standards… your selfishness.. we can start this new path here and now…)

ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.
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STATION NUMBER: NINE
LEADER: The Ninth Station: Jesus falls the third time.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading
Jesus exclaimed, "Come to me, all you who labour and are over-burdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden is light![16]

I am like water poured out; all My bones are racked. My heart has become like wax. My throat is dried up like baked clay, my tongue cleaves to My jaws; to the dust of death, you have brought Me down. [17]

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus. He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave. He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. [18]
Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.[19]
(Jesus was now totally exhausted. His physical energy almost completely gone. Can we imagine the incredible strength needed to keep going after this third fall, and after enduring so much already? It is clear that Our Lord gave himself utterly and totally for us. Christ gave himself to us all without any reservation or holding back in any way. How can we show generosity and love to those around us? How can we give generously of our gifts to help others?)

ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.

++++++++++
STATION NUMBER: TEN
LEADER: The Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped of His Garments

We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading
"They took his clothing and divided it into four shares, one for each soldier. His undergarment was seamless, woven in one piece from neck to hem; so they said to one another, "Instead of tearing it, let's throw dice to decide who is to have it". In this way the words of scripture were fulfilled: 'They shared out my clothing among them. They cast lots for my clothes.'"[20]

You have stripped off your old behaviour, and have put on a new self which will progress towards true knowledge the more it is renewed in the image of its creator; in that image there is no room for distinction between Greek and Jew, the circumcised and uncircumcised, the barbarian and Scythian, the slave and free person. There is only one Christ; he is everything and he is in everything.[21]
(Our Lord suffered every indignity out of love for others. He was completely humble and let go of everything because of his gospel message. He let nothing come between him and his total self-gift to the Father and to all people. Are there possessions, attitudes or ways of thinking that we hold on to, that stop us from being totally open to God and to others? What do we need to do to "strip away from our lives" all that is false, so we can be completely open to God and to others?).

ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.

++++++++++
STATION NUMBER: ELEVEN

LEADER: The Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross.
We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading
When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said: "Father, forgive them: they do not know what they are doing."[22]
They have pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. [23]
"I have come down from heaven, not to do My will, but the will of Him Who sent Me."[24]
"Jesus said to Nicodemus: "No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven: and the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him." [25]
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, "Woman, this is your son." Then to the disciple, he said, "This is your mother."[26]
(Our Lord suffered terrible pain. Let us pray for and think of those who are suffering pain at this time. For all those suffering from persecution, from injustice, from prejudice, from being wrongfully accused, from poverty, from illness (and particularly at this time, peace in the Ukraine and peace in the hearts of people everywhere, in this troubled and violent world), from bereavement, from loneliness, from unemployment… //from any thing at all..// For all who suffer – physical, emotional or spiritual PAIN. (pause) May God help them, and be with them. May we help them in any way we can. May they know that Christ is with them in the midst of their suffering).
ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.

++++++++++
STATION NUMBER: TWELVE

LEADER: The Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading
…….. "If we live, we live for the Lord, if we die, we die for the Lord."
It was now about the sixth hour and with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the temple was torn right down the middle; and when Jesus cried out in a loud voice, he said, "Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit." With these words, he breathed his last.[27]


(Our Lord died so that all might live through him. We pray for all those who are dying, and all those who have died. May they be welcomed into the reward of God's heavenly Kingdom. May we support and strengthen those facing death. (pause). And, when our earthly life is ended, may we see the glory of God forever and ever in Heaven – reunited with all those we love who have gone before us. We pray too for all those who face death or who have died alone, unloved, without hope… unjustly… or tragically… May the Lord who died to save them, bring them peace and reward. ).

ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.

++++++++++
STATION NUMBER: THIRTEEN

LEADER: The Thirteenth Station: Jesus is taken down from the Cross.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading

"After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus - though a secret one because he was afraid of the Jews - asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission, so they came and took it away."[28]

(Before Our Lord died, he gave his mother into the care of John. Our Lady is our inspiration of discipleship. May we be encouraged to imitate her faith, her perseverance in times of trial and utter confusion and unimaginable suffering, and her following of Jesus in good times and in bad. May we also be present for all who are suffering; - to give help and strength by our presence and support. May we acknowledge that we belong to one family in the church and are responsible for the welfare and spiritual care of those around us).

ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.

++++++++++
STATION NUMBER: FOURTEEN

LEADER: The Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the Tomb.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading

They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, following the Jewish burial custom. At the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in this garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been buried. Since it was the Jewish day of preparation and the tomb was near at hand, they laid Jesus there.[29]

Jesus (had earlier) said to his disciples: "I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves their life loses it; anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for the eternal life."[30]

(Our Lord was laid in the tomb. His three days in the tomb makes holy the graves of all who believe in Christ. We pray for those who have died in the hope of the resurrection. May they be welcomed into God's kingdom. May those who mourn the departed be strengthened by the sure hope of Christ's promise of eternal life. Our Lord, by his death, has destroyed death forever. Jesus by his own death and brought salvation to the world).
ALL: O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.
***(sung) Jesus has given his life for us.
+++
(at the sanctuary)

READER:
In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus: His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God, but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as humans are; and being as all humans are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him on high and gave him the name which is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.[31]

+++
Leader:
Let us pray
(that the Gospel may have a deep effect in our daily lives)
Lord Jesus Christ, unite us with yourself in redeeming the world. As we walk the way of salvation, turn us away from sin. Help us to be faithful to the Gospel and come to see the fullness of your glory where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit. God forever and ever. Amen.

(all depart silently – no final announcements or blessings)

+++++
References:
Paul W. Kelly

[Adapted by Paul Kelly, with variations from Bill Huebsch "The new Scripture way of the Cross," © 1993. Also introductory prayer from "The Biblical Way of the Cross" by Michael A. Dubruiel and Amy Welborn, © 1994.

Main texts and reading suggestions taken from: Rev Shane Hoctor, Parish Priest. "MELBOURNE DIOCESE PUBLICATION, SEASONS OF HOPE," © 1997 Jubilee Committee of Melbourne]
Some readings are from Jerusalem version, others from New Revised Standard Version. © 1969, 1989.

This shorter version also includes various sources from Stations of the Cross, including the Stations of the Cross written by St. Alphonsus Liguori (A.D. 1696-1787).
++++
Archive of homilies and reflections is at: http: //homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Leader, please email:paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here:

https: //soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks


(Image Shutterstock licensed Photo ID 1028159221. Biblical vector illustration series. Way of the Cross or Stations of the Cross, third station, Jesus falls for the first time. Contributor: - rudall30) .

[1]The New Revised Standard Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers).
[2] Mark (14:56,61-64)
[3] Luke 9:23-24
[4] (Lamentations 3: 16-17)
[5] ( John 16:33)
[6] Luke 2:33-35
[7] Mark 15:21
[8] (John 14, 9)
[9] (Matt 25:35-36)
[10] (Isaiah 52:14-15) :
[11] (Isaiah 53:5-6).
[12] (Psalm 118, 13)
[13] (Hebrews 4, 15)
[14]The New Revised Standard Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers).
[15] Luke 23:27-31
[16] (Matt 11:28-30).

[17] (Psalm 22.15-16)
[18] (Philippians 2.5-7)
[19] (Luke 14.11)
[20] (John 19:23-24)
[21] (Colossians 3:9-11)
[22] (Luke 23:33-34)

[23] (Psalm 22, 17-18)
[24] (John 6, 38)
[25] (John 3:13-15).
[26] John 19:25-27
[27] Luke 23:44-46
[28] (John 19:38).

[29] (John 19:40-42)
[30] (John 12:24-25)
[31] From Saint Paul to the Philippians (2:5-11)