Instead of specific thoughts for today. I have prepared a document with the text of Fr Doyle’s meditations on the Stations of the Cross. The file can be found here: Stations of the Cross If you like Fr Doyle’s writings, pleae send this file to friends and contacts, and maybe even to your local priest! If you have a blog yourself, please feel free to post it there as well. …
Gospel
April 17, 2011
Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb Image courtesy of St Raphael's Parish, Surrey. www.straphael.org.uk The final scene of the awful tragedy is drawing to a close. Reverently the faithful few bear the dead Christ down the hill of shame, that body from which all the care of loving hands cannot remove the marks of the cruel scourge, the rending nails, the lance’s gaping thrust. Into the tomb they …
April 13, 2011
The Thirteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Arms of His Mother Image courtesy of St Raphael's Parish, Surrey. www.straphael.org.uk Mary stands at the foot of the cross to receive in her arms the lifeless body of her Son. Once more His head is resting on her bosom as it used to do long years ago when a little child He nestled to His Mother#s breast. But now that sacred …
April 12, 2011
The Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross Image courtesy of St Raphael's Parish, Surrey. www.straphael.org.uk Upon the cross He hangs now, the most abject and despised of all men, the butt for vile jests, a common mark for all to hurl their jibes at. There He hangs, in agony no human lips can tell, no mind conceive, an impostor, a vile hypocrite, a failure. “He came to make Himself …
April 11, 2011
The Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross Image courtesy of St Raphael's Parish, Surrey. www.straphael.org.uk Upon His last resting place Jesus lays Himself down. No soft bed, no easy couch to ease the agony of His aching limbs, but a hard, rough beam must be His place of death. Meekly He extends His arms, those arms ever open to welcome back the repentant sinner, and offers His …
April 10, 2011
The Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments Image courtesy of St Raphael's Parish, Surrey. www.straphael.org.uk At last He stands upon the hill of shame to pay the price of our redemption. In the eyes of His Eternal Father, a sinner laden with the crimes of a wicked world; before men, the most abject and abandoned of creatures. A brutal soldier advances. He lays his hand upon the garment …
April 9, 2011
The Ninth Station: Jesus Falls for the Third Time Image courtesy of St Raphael's Parish, Surrey. www.straphael.org.uk The hill of Calvary is almost reached, the hour of the great sacrifice is at hand. Still the heart of Jesus thirsts for suffering to show His great, His all devouring love for us. Again He falls! With limbs all bruised and broken, with a body all one raw, red, quivering sore, each …
April 8, 2011
The Eighth Station: Jesus Consoles the Women of Jerusalem Image courtesy of St Raphael's Parish, Surrey. www.straphael.org.uk The disciples of Jesus have deserted their Master, and fearful for their own safety, have abandoned Him to His fate. Peter who would die for Him, Matthew who left all to follow Him, are far from Him now and dread to be pointed to as His friends. Yet Jesus is not alone. A …
April 7, 2011
The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls a Second Time Image courtesy of St Raphael's Parish, Surrey. www.straphael.org.uk Jesus falls a second time, crushed beneath the weight of His awful sufferings which are fast draining His strength. Exhausted and spent He lies upon the rough-paved ground, a cruel resting place for His bleeding, lacerated body. Vainly He tries to rise, for love impels Him on to the consummation of the sacrifice, but …
April 6, 2011
The Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus Image courtesy of St Raphael's Parish, Surrey. www.straphael.org.uk As the sorrowful procession moves slowly on, a woman, who with anxious gaze has watched its approach, steps forward and wipes the sacred face of Jesus. It is a simple action, yet reveals the kindly thoughtfulness of a charitable heart. Gladly would Veronica have done all in her power to lessen the sufferings …
April 5, 2011