Along the Via Dolorosa
Jesus Takes up His Cross
Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. John 19:16-17.
Whenever I meditate on the stations of the cross, always place myself there. Maybe you do too. I think that is part of the beauty of the stations of the cross, Christ’s love becomes tangible.
This is not easy though, it forces us to confront Jesus’s real human suffering - physical, emotional, and mental.
At first, I envision myself as a friend of Christ, among his apostles St. Mary Magdalene. I feel the anger rising in my chest. The injustice. The terror. How could they do this to Him? What will happen now?
But if I linger there long enough, the image shifts.
The crowd comes into focus.
And I realize, I am not only the grieving friend. I am also the shouting sinner. The one who has chosen social comfort over the love of my God. The one who, by sin, has echoed the cry: “Crucify Him.”
Lent has a way of softening our defenses. It has always been a powerful, somber time for me. Here, in Lent Jesus invites us deeply, and intimately into His suffering. This time lets us endure this without despair. Because the next thing my imagination shifts to at this moment is not condemnation.
It is Christ.
“He went out, bearing his own cross.” Why? Because “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” (John 3:16).
God the Father is not distant here. The Father is giving. And God the Son is not victimized. The Son is offering, and the cross is proof of love. Unwavering, wholly self-giving love.
As Jesus takes the wood upon His strong but torn shoulders, He is not carrying an instrument of death, He is carrying the weight of sin.. my sin. He is carrying the weight of every betrayal, every hidden fault, every failure whispered in shame.
And He does it Himself. He does it in faithful obedience. The greatest act of love.
As the splinters press into His skin, He presses my sins to His Sacred Heart and purifies them. He absorbs their weight. He carries what I should, but cannot.
And when I imagine myself walking the road to Golgotha now, something changes. I am no longer shouting. I am no longer despairing.
I stand there in humble knowing as true restoring love washes over every hidden part of my body, mind, and soul.
Knowing that the King of the universe sees every weakness in me and still chose the Cross, to save me.
Knowing that the Father’s love is not theoretical, it is the most tangible thing that has ever existed. It has weight. It has wood. It bleeds. And it is for me, it is for you, it is freely given to all who want to receive it.
In this moment, I pray that you take a pause here. Put yourself in this moment of Jesus’s story. Watch him take up His cross, meet His eyes, and feel the love in them. He loves you with a love that is beyond anything you can fathom, and he desires your heart. In this moment I pray that you say (even if it is a faint whisper) “Jesus, let me feel your love, open my heart to You.”
Never forget that God called you worthy of enduring unimaginable suffering for. He saved you, because He wants you. That is love. I hope you feel that love in your life today.
Looking for something to guide your prayer this week? Here are a few resources I’ve put together for you:
Download this prayer card as a reminder of His invitation into His love:
A Devotional. Want to go deeper? I created a devotional called His Mercy Endures Forever that walks through God’s endless mercy with space for prayer and reflection. (Paid subscribers: you already have this waiting in your inbox!) This digital/printable prayer devotional is designed to help you pause, rest, and encounter the Father’s love. You can print it at home or use it on your tablet for prayer on the go, wherever you need a quiet reminder of His grace.
This little reminder to Pray. Looking for more structure in your prayer life? The Totally Yours Prayer Habit Bundle was designed to help you grow closer to Christ with consistency. This digital set includes 6 reusable (print again & again) Catholic prayer guides you can print at home or use digitally, perfect for building a meaningful and sustainable prayer routine that keeps you anchored in Him.
Enjoy your Monday Friends, & thanks for being a part of this space!
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