Thursday, April 13, 2006

The Stations of the Cross

Tonight, my family participated in a powerful experience together. Though it's an ancient practice, it's a new one for my six, eight, and ten-year-old kids. Around the table on our sunporch, I had created the Stations of the Cross to help prepare our hearts for the Easter celebration this weekend.

From the earliest of days, followers of Jesus have told the story of His passion, death, and resurrection. When people came to see Jerusalem, they were anxious to see the sites where Jesus was, and these sites became holy connections with Jesus. Eventually, following in the footsteps of Christ, along the way of the cross, became a pilgrimage visit. The stations, as we know them today, came about when it was no longer easy or even possible to visit the holy sites. In the 1500's, villages all over Europe started creating replicas of the way of the cross, commemorating the places along the route in Jerusalem. Eventually, these became known as the Stations of the Cross.

The Stations of the Cross are a powerful way to contemplate and enter into the mystery of Jesus' gift of Himself to us. It is an experience that involves the senses and emotions as I was reminded tonight. As I reflected on Christ's life and death with my family, it was very moving to let my kids hold the nails in their hands, smell the vinegar-soaked sponge, see the images of Christ crucified, and hear them read the Scriptures aloud. It's very rare for them to be speechless, but they were strangely silent during this experience.

They spent much time talking about it and asking questions, some for which Cam and I had no answers. And then we prayed. Each thanked Jesus for dying on the Cross and coming back to life. And then my youngest prayed, "I sure hope you don't ever get beaten up like that again..." I think he was really afraid that Jesus might. At least it got him thinking. Yes, it got all of us thinking.

I pray that this Easter, each of us (in our own ways) will take the time and space to reflect on what a gift God gave to us in His Son. If you have any stories to share on how you and your family engage in remembering Easter, I'd love to hear your stories. Meanwhile, I pray you have an awesome weekend.

5 Comments:

At 9:43 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey - thanks for your inspiration - it's great to see families connecting on such important issues and opening the door for memories and understanding of things greater than even the world we live in. Such experiences are accepted by our children so naturally, I believe, because they are so near the heart of God!! May God bless your work and your family with every passing day!!

 
At 12:55 AM , Blogger Bud said...

Hello Sweetheart. I think it's wonderful to walk the kids so visually through what our Lord went through for us... I love the authenticity of children, especially yours. Take care of them or you'll get a call from their uncle!

 
At 11:24 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is so great! Spiritual formation with children. I am going to have a lot to learn from you when i have my own.

Uncle Buddy, great to see you are hitting up the blogosphere.

My Easter... kinda dry...

 
At 10:07 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a beautiful time that must have been for all of you and the Lord!

Every Catholic Church has the Stations of the Cross pictured on the walls of the church. I especially like the ones at St. Peter in South Beloit.

Holy Family now has the Stations outside behind the Adoration Chapel that your kids might enjoy visiting.

During Lent on Friday nights
many walk and pray the stations as a group.

Thank you for sharing your lives with me in this way. I am blessed by you!
Peace & Joy!
Linda

 
At 9:21 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

How absolutely marvelous. I was recently asked what one person can do to promote peace in our troubled world. I think you just provided the answer.

God Blessw

 

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