2nd Station of the Cross

Second Station : Jeus carries His Cross

    Jesus takes up His cross and starts the journey to Calvary. The cross represents all of our sins. It was not just the sins of those around Him at that time but the sins of us all until judgment day comes. 

     We are all called to pick up our crosses and follow Jesus on this road to salvation. In Matthew 16 : 24 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”  Our crosses are personal to each one of us. For some it may be that your cross is health issues, marriage problems, sins, family problems, anger, pain, sorrow, etc.. There are many crosses we carry each day. I also must say that at times it feels like we are carrying more then one of them at a time.  Everyone of us carry a cross in this life and sometimes we have no idea what crosses those around us may be carrying. Keep that in mind when you are carrying your cross, that you are not the only one. 

     No matter what we are going through or what crosses we are carrying we need to follow Jesus. It is not an easy thing to do at times but call on Jesus to help you get the strength to carry on. Our faith helps us carry those crosses because we know that Jesus is there to help us and also know the gift of Salvation that was gained from the cross. Each time we continue on with the journey to Calvary we are seeking salvation. We are there on the road with Jesus. 

     Allow your Lenten journey help you gain faith, love and mercy to aid you in carrying those crosses in your life. Seek Jesus on your daily walk. Pray not only for strength but also for those around you who are carrying their crosses as well. Each one of us are called to do this and remember you are never alone on the path.

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and remember we all carry crosses in this life. 

Thursday of the First Week in Lent
Lectionary: 227

Reading 1

EST C:12, 14-16, 23-25

Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish,

had recourse to the LORD.

She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, 

from morning until evening, and said:

“God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you. 

Help me, who am alone and have no help but you,

for I am taking my life in my hand.

As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers

that you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you.

Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you,

O LORD, my God.

“And now, come to help me, an orphan.

Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion

and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy,

so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.

Save us from the hand of our enemies;

turn our mourning into gladness

and our sorrows into wholeness.”

Responsorial Psalm

PS 138:1-2AB, 2CDE-3, 7C8

R. (3a) Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,

for you have heard the words of my mouth;

in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;

I will worship at your holy temple

and give thanks to your name.

R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Because of your kindness and your truth;

for you have made great above all things

your name and your promise.

When I called, you answered me;

you built up strength within me.

R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Your right hand saves me.

The LORD will complete what he has done for me;

your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;

forsake not the work of your hands.

R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Gospel

MT 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Ask and it will be given to you;

seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;

and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 

Which one of you would hand his son a stone

when he asked for a loaf of bread,

or a snake when he asked for a fish?

If you then, who are wicked,

know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your heavenly Father give good things

to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. 

This is the law and the prophets.”