Secular Franciscan Way of the Cross – Station13 – Jesus’ Body is Removed from the Cross

”The Deposition of Christ”, painting by Benedetto Caliari, c. 1577 via WikiCommons

13^th Station – Jesus’ body is removed from the cross

M: We love you, O Lord

A: Because by your Holy Cross, and resurrection You have redeemed the world.

M: The Thirtieenth Station – Jesus’ body is removed from the cross.

“After this, Joseph of Arimathaea , who was a disciple of Jesus – Though a secret one because he was afraid of the Jews – asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave his permission , so they came and took it away. “ (John 19: 38-40 )

“ I am like water draining away,

My bones are all disjointed,

My heart is like wax,

Melting inside me;

My palate is drier than a potsherd,

And my tongue is stuck to my jaw” ( Psalms 22:14-15)

A: Help us Lord, to fully live our vocation.

Reflection:

Am I afraid of living my vocation fully, standing in fear of the opinion of others within my world ?

Have I taken down the lifeless vocation, from the cross I have put it on, and carried it away to be buried ?

Is my vocation dry, like the desert, has it become weak from lack of life giving spirit ?

Am I waiting for someone’s permission to take it down, and give it the care and attention it has been without ?

Do I hold myself to the higher standard of Franciscan life, not in pride, but in humility and poverty ?

Do I love my vocation and weep at its loss of life ? Can I change ? Will I change ?