From the Pastor at Trinity!

During my recent trip to the Holy Land, one of the highlights was walking on the "Via Dolorosa," which in Latin means "sad road." It is the route Jesus had to take from Pilate's judgment hall to Golgotha. While traveling down this "sad road," we stop at some, but not all, of the so-called "14 Stations of the Cross," which is a very popular thing to do with those, like myself, who travel to the Holy Land. Needless to say, this was a very moving experience.

During Holy Week many parishes have a Service of Stations. Both Eastern and Western Churches celebrate this special service. This popular devotion of praying at the Stations of the Cross was developed during the Crusades when the knights and pilgrims began to follow the route of Christ's way to Calvary. The Way (or Stations) of the Cross has been, and continues to be, a common way of participating in the passion (suffering) of Christ as a part of Holy Week, particularly Good Friday. Combined with the prayer and meditation, reliving this horrific experience helps us to deepen our understanding of the Way of the Cross, which will in turn be of great spiritual benefit for our appreciation of the tremendous sacrifice that Jesus gave for our sins and the world's.

This being the case, I invite you to join me in taking this journey as we continue to celebrate Holy Week. Here are the Fourteen Stations and Scriptures to meditate on to help us walk where Jesus walked and to further capture the essence of His suffering and dying:

Stations of the Cross - Scripture

1)Jesus prays alone. - Luke 22:39-44

2)Jesus is arrested. - Matthew 26:47-56

3)Sanhedrin tries Jesus. - Mark 14:61-64

4)Pilate tries Jesus. - John 18:33-37

5)Pilate tries Jesus. - Mark 15:6-15

6)Jesus wears crown. - John 19:5

7)Jesus carries His cross. - John 10:17-18

8)Simon carries Jesus' cross. - Luke 23:26

9)Jesus speaks to the women. - Luke 23:27-31

10)Jesus is crucified. - Luke 23:33-34

11)Criminals speak to Jesus. - Luke 23:39-43

12)Jesus speaks to Mary and John. - John 19:25b-27

13)Jesus dies on the cross. - John 19:28-34

14)Jesus is laid in the tomb. - John 19:38-42

With Love, From Jesus,

Pastor David