Way of the Cross based on Social Issues

Introduction: Good Evening to all of you gathered here. Friday evening is very significant especially for us, Catholics and Christians because our Saviour Jesus Christ died on this day. The way of the cross is the journey of Jesus to the place of his crucifixion, it’s about his pain and suffering. As we pray this Station of the Cross it will help us not only to reflect on Jesus’ Passion and Death but also to reflect over social issues in the light of the Way of the Cross.

Hymn: The old rugged cross 262 (Pray Sing)

1^st Station: Jesus is Condemned

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: It would be nice to think our judicial system is totally infallible, but unfortunately, that’s just not the case. A recent study found that many innocent are behind bars, and it’s mostly the poor who suffer such injustice.

Prayer: Dear lord forgive us for the times we have blamed others for our own faults.

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

2^nd  Station: Jesus is Given the Cross

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: There are many people who were punished or rather tortured by the ISIS. CNN facts show that ISIS have gone global there are so far recorded, 90 attacks in 21 counties where thousands of innocent people have lost their lives.

Prayer: Dear Lord we ask you to bless these suffering people, be their solace and help the persecutors to change their minds and be good to all.

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

3rd  Station: Jesus falls the first time

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: We have seen on TV or on the Internet, so many are persecuted and they give up. The ISIS have been active since 2014. There were very bloody and horrible visuals shown everywhere. There were persecutions, killing and torture.  

Prayer: Dear Lord we are sorry for the times we have not bothered about others. We are worried only about the small pains that we suffer from. Help us to be sympathetic towards others.  

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

4^th   Station: Jesus meets his mother

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: In USA, 81 migrant children were separated from their parents since June 2018. In other cases too so many children are separated from their parents. They are used as labourers or for other illegal activities. These children are deprived of their childhood joys.

Prayer: Dear Lord we have seen such children on the streets or even in the orphanages but we have never noticed their sorrow, make us compassionate lord.  

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

5^th  Station: Simon helps Jesus

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: Child Rights and You (CRY) is one of the top 10 NGOs in India, there are also Catholic religious who are working for the deprived and the less privileged.

Prayer: Dear Lord we have many times criticized those who are working for the well being of society. We have spoilt their name by saying that they do it for the greed of money. Help us to change our attitude.  

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

6th  Station: Veronica wipes Jesus’ face

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: There are many women who are working for the betterment of the society; they fight against all the stereotypes just so that they can do good. Mother Teresa sisters are classic example of such women. They work for people irrespective of their cast, class or religion.

Prayer: Dear Lord we have many times alleged such women saying that they leave immoral lives. We fail to see the good that they are doing. Help us be slow to judge.  

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

7^th  Station: Jesus falls the Second time

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: On 14^th February 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber in Pulwama. What did we do about? Just spoke about it or uploaded pictures or status on whats app or facebook or may be made some noise on other social apps.

Prayer: Dear Lord we help us to make our lives worth the sacrifice of our soldiers. Who are giving their own lives just to protect our worthless lives.

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

Hymn: O My People 265 (Pray Sing)

8^th  Station: The women weep for Jesus

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: 85% of domestic violence victims are women.  It is said that 1 out of every 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Women between the ages of 20 to 24 are at greatest risk of becoming victims of domestic violence. We have witnessed domestic violence in our own localities, but we have just been spectators and have just pitied others.

Prayer: Dear Lord we see violence in our neighborhood, but we don’t have the courage to stand up against it. Give use the courage to le truth, peace and justice begin in our hearts.   

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

9th  Station: Jesus falls the Third time

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 is an act of the parliament of India enacted to combat corruption in government agencies and public sector businesses in India. These laws fail because we do not co-operate with the authority. With these laws we too fail.  

Prayer: Dear Lord we fallen many times by not doing what we are supposed to do. Help me lord, never to take my supporting hand away from those who need it.

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

10^th Station: Jesus is stripped

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: In August 2018, harsh flooding affected Kerala, approximately 20 million people have been affected. These people lost almost everything; they even failed to recognize the place where once their house stood. Most among these were innocent people. 

Prayer: Dear Lord we have been lucky to have everything that we need but we have not been generous, help us to be generous and considerate towards other.

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

11^th  Station: Jesus is Nailed

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: Social isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, fear of others, or negative self-esteem. Lack of consistent human contact can also cause conflict and depression.

Prayer: Dear Lord there are many who are suffering from loneliness, You suffered rejection and also physical pain. May we be people who are loving and who feel the pain of others and help them to overcome it.

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

12: Jesus Dies on the Cross (Pause, Silence)

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: In November 2015 in Paris, the single deadliest terrorist attack in French history. There was mass shooting, suicide bombing and also hostage taking. Many lost their lives and family members.

Prayer: Dear Lord all these were innocent people who did not even will the destruction of others. Jesus had the choice unlike these people yet he chose to die for us. Lord, help us realize your great sacrifice of love and live as worthy citizens of our country.

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

13^th  Station: Jesus is taken from the cross

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: On 26^th December 2018 in Indonesia more than 400 people were reported dead after a tsunami and just three months earlier more than 2,100 people were known to have died due to earthquake in Central Sulawesi. The bodies were left untouched for many days after that.

Prayer: Dear Lord we are lucky to have people around us to care for us, there are people who don’t have anybody to lay their bodies to rest. Be their consolation O lord and grant them eternal life.   

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

14^th  Station: Jesus is Buried

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the World.

Commentary: Many Social service and charity institutes all over the world take care of the homeless and also lay them to rest and give them a decent farewell as they end their life on earth.

Prayer: Dear Lord we pray for all these institutions who are doing these humanitarian works, bless them and inspire many more to lend their service for the betterment of society.   

Leader: Have mercy on us O Lord.

All: Have mercy on us.

Leader: Holy Mother.

All: Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour crucified.

Closing Prayer: Dear Lord some of these Social issues are inevitable while most can be controlled, help us dear lord to get inspired by their life and work for the betterment of the society. All these and other such social evil we place them at your feet O Lord, in the Jesus name. Amen

Intention of the Pope – Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Hymn: Father, forgive them 270 (Pray Sing)

Source: Internet (for statistical data only)