THE FIRST STATION

JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

We adore you, O Christ,

and we bless you

Because by your holy cross

you have redeemed the world.

FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE

Gospel of Matthew 27:22-23, 26

Pilate said to them, 

“Then what shall I do

with Jesus who is called Christ?”

They all said,

“Let him be crucified!” 

And he said,

“Why, what evil has he done?”

But they shouted all the more,

“Let him be crucified!”

Then, he released Barabbas, 

and having scourged Jesus, 

delivered him to be crucified.

​

Let us contemplate Jesus

standing beside Pilate. 

As his eyes behold

the frenetic crowds

that have filled the praetorium,

he can also see the remnants

of palm branches that still

line the streets from his entrance

into Jerusalem a mere five days earlier.

Let us consider Jesus silently

reciting the following words

of Psalm 57 as he stands

atop the steps

of the praetorium

and hears the chants of:

"Crucify him! Crucify him!"

​

PSALM

My heart is steadfast, O God,

my heart is steadfast!

​

Be merciful to me, O God,

be merciful to me,

for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings

I will take refuge,

till the storms

of destruction pass by.

I cry to God Most High,

to God who fulfills

his purpose for me.

He will send from heaven

and save me,

he will put shame to those

who trample upon me.

God will send forth his mercy

and his faithfulness.

-Psalm 57:7, 1-3

HYMN

Is there one who would not weep,

whelmed in miseries so deep

Christ's dear Mother to behold?