Thomas Griffin 2/23/24
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Each Friday this Lent we will investigate and reflect on two out of the fourteen Stations of the Cross. This is an ancient practice that desires to make contact with what it would have been like to walk with Jesus on that Good Friday two thousand years ago. Lent is all about gaining more access to the events of Jesus’ life, especially those that revolve around his suffering.
Traditionally, there has always been an invitation from the Church to make Fridays different for just that reason. Friday was the day that Christ died. It is a holy day that beckons to the world for notice. Not because God needs us to notice Him in order to be fulfilled but simply because ignorance of his passion leads to an empty life.
Today we will continue our journey by looking at the third and fourth Stations of the Cross.
Third Station of the Cross: Jesus Falls for the First Time
Quickly into his journey towards Calvary Jesus falls under the weight of sin and the cross. He is exhausted. His body, mind and soul have taken a beating. For Christ to fall so near to the start of his walk to his death reveals that his scourging must have been tremendous. We also know that the soldiers mocked Jesus after his whipping by placing a crown of thorns on his head.
Scholars note that the thorns from the plants in the Holy Land of Jesus’ time would have been between two and three inches long. Soldiers would have weaved these together and used reeds or sticks to drive the crown of thorns into the skin of Jesus’ scalp. This would allow the crown to remain as Jesus carried his cross.
His face and body would have been covered with blood and open wounds. The loss of blood would have literally forced his body to begin to shut down. Jesus collapses because of his physical suffering. The weight of the sin of mankind also brought him to his knees. The darkness and depravity of evil brought him to his knees.
Have you ever heard about something or seen something so horrible that it made you turn away or even physically shudder downwards? The glimpse Jesus saw that day of hatred for God and for neighbor was immense. He took it on himself and it made him fall.
But, Jesus rose and continued his path to his death. The hurt and the pain would not prevent him from accomplishing his mission. He rises from the dirt of the ground to move forward and endure more pain out of love for you and for me.
Fourth Station of the Cross: Jesus Meets His Mother
When we are hurting we all want our mom.
There is something about the way that a mother cares for her child that is moving. A mother’s heart for her children is unmatched. She carried her child in her womb and went through immense physical changes and pain in order for that child to live. There is a connection that is made forever because of that bond.
Modern science has even discovered that fetal cells can remain inside of a mother for decades after their child is born. Literally, a piece of us continues to live inside of our mothers even after we are born. The connection between us is so strong because God made it that way.
One of the most moving scenes from The Passion of Christ by Mel Gibson is this moment on Jesus’ way to Golgotha. When Jesus falls and meets his mother there is a flashback to when Christ is a young boy. He fell and hurt his leg and Mary hears him scream. The scene is filmed without noise as the Blessed Mother runs to pick up her son and comfort him. She ends up holding him in her arms, perhaps similar to how she holds Jesus’ body when he is taken down from the cross.
No one else felt the pain of Jesus more than Mary did on that first Good Friday. As we pray with the Stations of the Cross let us allow ourselves to view Jesus through her eyes and be amazed at the love between a mother and her son.
Thomas Griffin is the chairperson of the religion department at a Catholic high school on Long Island where he lives with his wife and two sons. He has a masters degree in theology and is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Empty Tomb Project: The Magazine.
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