The Stations of the Cross - Station 2: Jesus takes up his cross

The Christian Soul accepts the Cross, by French Anonymous Painter, 1630 © Prado Museum, Madrid

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 21st March 2021 - Matthew 27:27-31

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him.

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head.

They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.

After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him.

Then they led him away to crucify him.

Reflection on the Painting

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

Jesus, You picked up Your cross and accepted Your cross. You carried it all the way to Calvary for me. We surround You with our own crosses to bear. So many crosses, so much pain, so much loneliness, so much anguish, especially during these times of Covid.

Like the figure depicted in our painting, symbolic of the Christian Soul, I have to pick up my cross too. I can see You lovingly looking back at me and encouraging me to get walking with You.

I look around me and see how other people have much larger crosses to carry than mine. In my self-pity, I haven't helped them enough.

Teach me, I ask You, to accept my own cross, embrace it and carry it with the same grace You did.

Our Father, who art in heaven…

Hail Mary, full of grace…

Glory Be to the Father and to the Son…

(Normal Gospel reading for the day: John 12:20-33)

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/751
Christian Art - www.christian.art/index.php