Stations of the Cross
These "Stations" were written in October 2004 and originally posted in 2005. They are dedicated to New York Episcopal Cursillo and are suitable for individuals and groups of most age groups and may be used by anyone. Simply attribute me and The Geranium Farm. In this and all things, may we draw closer to Christ.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Setting/Directions:
These Stations are written to provide a more dramatic, concentrated experience, intended to draw the participants in with the use of lighting, little movement and the suggestion that the speakers at each Station were eyewitnesses to the Passion.
Readers A and B face each other for their short dialogue, take a beat, then face forward toward the congregation for line C, which is said in unison. The pair is followed by a statement or question by the narrator. There should be no more than 4 narrators; “pairs” of readers can be used more than once, depending on number of readers available. A rehearsal is suggested to coordinate unison lines and movement of readers (if they are used more than once). Busy-ness should be kept at a minimum so as not to distract from the meditative nature of this exercise.
Four simple work lights are used, illuminating 3 groups of 4 Stations, 1 group of 2 Stations: all are lit at the beginning of this piece. In each case, when the narrator is finished with 4, 8, 12 and 14 one light is turned out. In other words, as the Stations move on, it gets darker and darker.
STATIONS
I. Jesus is condemned to death
A. We found him in the garden. There were just a few with him and he didn’t even resist.
B. They passed him around all night – and Pilate came to the only conclusion the government would accept….
C. HE’LL BE KILLED TODAY.
N. Faced with the reality of your own death, You walked forward, trusting your Father within you. May we in our various and final journeys look to your example for inspiration and strength.
II. Jesus takes up his cross
A. He worked with wood for years, always creating and repairing-
B. And now he carries his heaviest work of all.
C. With ultimate love and intention He bears the cross that will bear Him.
N. Christ embraced the symbol of his death and faced the reality of his responsibility. May we face our own responsibilities with determination and love.
III. Jesus falls the first time
A. So---- the Rabbi isn’t used to such a heavy load! Much heavier than the tables in the Temple.
B. You see! It has all fallen on his shoulders
C. EVERYTHING HAS FALLEN ON HIS SHOULDERS.
N. What weight to we carry? What weight does He carry for us? Does it feel to much to bear?
IV. Jesus meets his mother
A. Why is she here? Hasn’t he caused her enough pain? Enough shame?
B. How can she even recognize him like this or acknowledge him in public?
C. This mother sees only her son.
N. Do we have the vision that love affords? May the example of Mary and Jesus allow us to see ourselves and others with ultimate compassion.
V. The cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene
A. He’ll be unclean for weeks- tainted, despised and avoided by his family and neighbors.
B. HA! The spectator is forced to participate…
C. As if someone would volunteer to help this Jesus.
N. When given the luxury of choice, do I choose to work with God? By shouldering my own crosses, I travel the road of life with Christ as my companion.
VI. A woman wipes the face of Jesus
A. Did you see that? She stumbled forward, took part of her veil and wiped his face!
B. Has she no shame? Has she lost her mind? She will be barred from the Temple!
C. Guilt and infamy by association. Her reputation is ruined.
N. Can I practice true compassion and charity without considering what other people think? Can I give without hope of receiving in return?
VII. Jesus falls a second time
A. He isn’t even carrying the cross and he’s falling down.
B. This “messiah” is quite weak after all!
C. ….. and where are his disciples now??
N. When my sister or brother stumbles, do I lend a hand? Can I offer the ministry of presence to those in joy or in pain?
VIII. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
A. He healed my daughter; He gave us new life and hope.
B. What hope will there be with Him gone? Will a greater teacher come?
C. Surely He is dying… and our future with Him.
N. Setbacks and disappointments come; losses come. God grant me the gift of perspective to see my personal losses in the greater scheme of things.
IX. Jesus falls a third time
A. He is exhausted; his very breathing shakes his body.
B. It is nearly done; he can barely move.
C. Will he live long enough for the authorities to kill him?
N. May your example of honor and love sustain me when my strength to do the right thing wanes.
X. Jesus is stripped
A. Where is his pride now? His charm? His magnetism?
B. He looks barely human! Who can look at him?
C. This is a shell of a man: small, broken, insignificant.
N. When all of my defenses are down- when all my trappings are gone – do I have the courage to see myself as God sees me?
XI. Jesus is nailed to the cross
A. His fate was sealed hours ago
B. And from this tree there is no escape.
C. Hung – naked – at the mercy of time and the elements.
N. I cannot know the pain my Savior knew during his passion, but I can devote the sacrifices I make or discomfort I experience to God in an act of empathy.
XII. Jesus dies on the cross
A. He defied the government.
B. He confounded the keepers of the Law
C. But death itself he did not defy.
N. Help me see surrender n the light of power and strength! Grace me with the courage to surrender my life to Christ day by day.
XIII. Jesus’ body is given to Mary
A. Look at her face. She is beyond sobbing and tears.
B. She is shocked, torn. Oh, how she loved him.
C. Even holding this rank, mangled body she can see only her beloved son.
N. My expectations, my assumptions. Many will not survive when put to the test. Stand with me as I face letting go of some things I have tried to hold on to. Give me insight to the true meaning of each lesson.
XIV. Jesus is laid in the tomb
A. The life is gone
B. The living must bury the dead
C. Will anyone remember him in the days and years to come?
N. Seeing may be believing, but surely belief is more than only those things I can see. Bring me from the cross to glory; from the tomb to the altar; from death to life again.
Copyright © 2005 K.L.Joanna Depue and Deacon J
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Setting/Directions:
These Stations are written to provide a more dramatic, concentrated experience, intended to draw the participants in with the use of lighting, little movement and the suggestion that the speakers at each Station were eyewitnesses to the Passion.
Readers A and B face each other for their short dialogue, take a beat, then face forward toward the congregation for line C, which is said in unison. The pair is followed by a statement or question by the narrator. There should be no more than 4 narrators; “pairs” of readers can be used more than once, depending on number of readers available. A rehearsal is suggested to coordinate unison lines and movement of readers (if they are used more than once). Busy-ness should be kept at a minimum so as not to distract from the meditative nature of this exercise.
Four simple work lights are used, illuminating 3 groups of 4 Stations, 1 group of 2 Stations: all are lit at the beginning of this piece. In each case, when the narrator is finished with 4, 8, 12 and 14 one light is turned out. In other words, as the Stations move on, it gets darker and darker.
STATIONS
I. Jesus is condemned to death
A. We found him in the garden. There were just a few with him and he didn’t even resist.
B. They passed him around all night – and Pilate came to the only conclusion the government would accept….
C. HE’LL BE KILLED TODAY.
N. Faced with the reality of your own death, You walked forward, trusting your Father within you. May we in our various and final journeys look to your example for inspiration and strength.
II. Jesus takes up his cross
A. He worked with wood for years, always creating and repairing-
B. And now he carries his heaviest work of all.
C. With ultimate love and intention He bears the cross that will bear Him.
N. Christ embraced the symbol of his death and faced the reality of his responsibility. May we face our own responsibilities with determination and love.
III. Jesus falls the first time
A. So---- the Rabbi isn’t used to such a heavy load! Much heavier than the tables in the Temple.
B. You see! It has all fallen on his shoulders
C. EVERYTHING HAS FALLEN ON HIS SHOULDERS.
N. What weight to we carry? What weight does He carry for us? Does it feel to much to bear?
IV. Jesus meets his mother
A. Why is she here? Hasn’t he caused her enough pain? Enough shame?
B. How can she even recognize him like this or acknowledge him in public?
C. This mother sees only her son.
N. Do we have the vision that love affords? May the example of Mary and Jesus allow us to see ourselves and others with ultimate compassion.
V. The cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene
A. He’ll be unclean for weeks- tainted, despised and avoided by his family and neighbors.
B. HA! The spectator is forced to participate…
C. As if someone would volunteer to help this Jesus.
N. When given the luxury of choice, do I choose to work with God? By shouldering my own crosses, I travel the road of life with Christ as my companion.
VI. A woman wipes the face of Jesus
A. Did you see that? She stumbled forward, took part of her veil and wiped his face!
B. Has she no shame? Has she lost her mind? She will be barred from the Temple!
C. Guilt and infamy by association. Her reputation is ruined.
N. Can I practice true compassion and charity without considering what other people think? Can I give without hope of receiving in return?
VII. Jesus falls a second time
A. He isn’t even carrying the cross and he’s falling down.
B. This “messiah” is quite weak after all!
C. ….. and where are his disciples now??
N. When my sister or brother stumbles, do I lend a hand? Can I offer the ministry of presence to those in joy or in pain?
VIII. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
A. He healed my daughter; He gave us new life and hope.
B. What hope will there be with Him gone? Will a greater teacher come?
C. Surely He is dying… and our future with Him.
N. Setbacks and disappointments come; losses come. God grant me the gift of perspective to see my personal losses in the greater scheme of things.
IX. Jesus falls a third time
A. He is exhausted; his very breathing shakes his body.
B. It is nearly done; he can barely move.
C. Will he live long enough for the authorities to kill him?
N. May your example of honor and love sustain me when my strength to do the right thing wanes.
X. Jesus is stripped
A. Where is his pride now? His charm? His magnetism?
B. He looks barely human! Who can look at him?
C. This is a shell of a man: small, broken, insignificant.
N. When all of my defenses are down- when all my trappings are gone – do I have the courage to see myself as God sees me?
XI. Jesus is nailed to the cross
A. His fate was sealed hours ago
B. And from this tree there is no escape.
C. Hung – naked – at the mercy of time and the elements.
N. I cannot know the pain my Savior knew during his passion, but I can devote the sacrifices I make or discomfort I experience to God in an act of empathy.
XII. Jesus dies on the cross
A. He defied the government.
B. He confounded the keepers of the Law
C. But death itself he did not defy.
N. Help me see surrender n the light of power and strength! Grace me with the courage to surrender my life to Christ day by day.
XIII. Jesus’ body is given to Mary
A. Look at her face. She is beyond sobbing and tears.
B. She is shocked, torn. Oh, how she loved him.
C. Even holding this rank, mangled body she can see only her beloved son.
N. My expectations, my assumptions. Many will not survive when put to the test. Stand with me as I face letting go of some things I have tried to hold on to. Give me insight to the true meaning of each lesson.
XIV. Jesus is laid in the tomb
A. The life is gone
B. The living must bury the dead
C. Will anyone remember him in the days and years to come?
N. Seeing may be believing, but surely belief is more than only those things I can see. Bring me from the cross to glory; from the tomb to the altar; from death to life again.
Copyright © 2005 K.L.Joanna Depue and Deacon J
posted by Joanna Depue | 5:54 AM
1 Comments:
Joanna, thank you so much for this wonderful gift to Cursillo. We used the Stations again for #82, held a few weekends ago. The words are so beautiful.
Because the chapel at Mariandale is small, the movement of the groups from station to station was a bit distracting. We may want to think about just having the narrator move and the rest of the "actors" staying in place.
Either way, it's beautiful and thank you again for your generosity and creativity.
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