GOSPEL WAY OF THE CROSS
These Stations are photographs of the original plaque sculptures that were commissioned for Saint Luke’s Canton. As far as we know they are the work of the Welsh artist John Petts. They are Gospel Stations in that they illustrate only the events found in the Gospels; they begin earlier than the ‘traditional’ Way of the Cross with the Last Supper. These reflections are closely based on the images.
Our thanks to the parish Priest and Churchwardens of St Luke’s for permission to reproduce them and offer them to the Diocese. I will be distributing two or three each day.
Read over the Gospel text then look at the image and possibly read again. Don’t rush to the reflection; let the image and the Word of God do its work. Then read the reflection, look at the image again and think over your own reaction. Finally offer the prayer provided or make your own.
Luke 22. 14-23
+ FIRST STATION Grace for the Journey
These Stations are photographs of the original plaque sculptures that were commissioned for Saint Luke’s Canton. As far as we know they are the work of the Welsh artist John Petts. They are Gospel Stations in that they illustrate only the events found in the Gospels; they begin earlier than the ‘traditional’ Way of the Cross with the Last Supper. These reflections are closely based on the images.
Our thanks to the parish Priest and Churchwardens of St Luke’s for permission to reproduce them and offer them to the Diocese. I will be distributing two or three each day.
Read over the Gospel text then look at the image and possibly read again. Don’t rush to the reflection; let the image and the Word of God do its work. Then read the reflection, look at the image again and think over your own reaction. Finally offer the prayer provided or make your own.
Luke 22. 14-23
+ FIRST STATION Grace for the Journey
Jesus looks down on the chalice filled with the fruit of the vine. His hand is raised in blessing. His whole body will become the means of salvation, not only for the first disciples who are invited to drink of his life, but for all who would look to his death and embrace his resurrection.
His eyes encourage us to look at the chalice and see that this cup – this sacrifice - is his, and yet we are invited to share from it. We need to take his sacrifice into our lives, not only by drinking from the ‘cup of salvation’ but through living in the power of the grace we receive.
In this station we see a kingly, commanding Christ, telling us to ‘do this in remembrance of me’. Through the power of Christ’s spirit, the church enters the once for all offering. But are we becoming what we receive? What do we do with the grace we receive? The Cup of the Upper Room was handed around from disciple to disciple. Are we offering easy-going wine or the reality of Christ’s presence? The drinking from the cup is always twofold – sustaining, renewing, but also challenging and demanding. So easily we stop at an upper room experience and forget the Gethsemane and the call to stand at the foot of the cross, and not just rush into the Easter garden. May each of us have the courage to put into action what we have received at the royal celebration.
Lord Jesus
give me the courage to follow you in the way of the Cross.
Like the Apostles, I must first drink of the cup of your sacrificial love,
no longer physically (at this time) but spiritually. May all I offer in this time of prayer
be as you commanded ‘in remembrance of you,’
in thanksgiving for your surrendered life,
and in prayer for the desperate needs of our world at this time.
To you be praise and glory our Loving Master, Saviour and Servant King.
Luke 22. 39-46
+ SECOND STATION: The Journey begins in agonized prayer
+ SECOND STATION: The Journey begins in agonized prayer
The cup is not yet poured out, but neither is it easy to hold. Christ’s head is completely bowed – his body tired, his mind full of foreboding, and yet he prays, he pleads, he surrenders.
The hands of Christ are open like his lips, asking if the cup can be removed, if there is some other way. The gentle open hands that blessed, healed and held out the cup – still in his agony surrenders to his Father’s will: ‘not my will but yours be done’.
His eyes look down on his upturned palms - the hands that will carry part of the cross, that will be pierced and nailed down, to draw what they thought would be, the final line: ‘better one man should die’.
The artist has chosen not to put the sleeping disciples in the distant corner of the image. All our attention is concentrated on Christ. The atmosphere of this image is not tense, for it is not a surrender to fate, but into the hands of the Father. The perfect living -out of the prayer he has already given and daily lived: ‘Your kingdom come, your will be done’.
The one bowed down to the earth alone with God - is the one who will be lifted high on the cross for all to see and jeer or weep or pass by.
The chalice above his head reminding us of his words at the Last Supper – I will not taste the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom comes; indeed on the cross he will be offered sour wine – more like vinegar. The best wine of the Feast turned to a bitter deathly drink.
Jesus not only opens his hands, his life, to God but also holds us up, especially when we feel most alone. As the writer to the Hebrews puts it:
‘During his life on earth
he offered up prayer and entreaty
with loud cries and with tears
to the One who had the power to save him from death’.
Again, the absence of his disciples in the image challenges us to ask ourselves - are we keeping vigil with Christ, are we offering and living his prayer: ‘Your kingdom come Your will be done?
Jesus remember us when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus remember us, in the hour of our greatest need. Jesus remember us, help us keep vigil with those suffering today. Jesus remember us
and take our prayers through your Spirit to the very heart of the Father.
The hands of Christ are open like his lips, asking if the cup can be removed, if there is some other way. The gentle open hands that blessed, healed and held out the cup – still in his agony surrenders to his Father’s will: ‘not my will but yours be done’.
His eyes look down on his upturned palms - the hands that will carry part of the cross, that will be pierced and nailed down, to draw what they thought would be, the final line: ‘better one man should die’.
The artist has chosen not to put the sleeping disciples in the distant corner of the image. All our attention is concentrated on Christ. The atmosphere of this image is not tense, for it is not a surrender to fate, but into the hands of the Father. The perfect living -out of the prayer he has already given and daily lived: ‘Your kingdom come, your will be done’.
The one bowed down to the earth alone with God - is the one who will be lifted high on the cross for all to see and jeer or weep or pass by.
The chalice above his head reminding us of his words at the Last Supper – I will not taste the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom comes; indeed on the cross he will be offered sour wine – more like vinegar. The best wine of the Feast turned to a bitter deathly drink.
Jesus not only opens his hands, his life, to God but also holds us up, especially when we feel most alone. As the writer to the Hebrews puts it:
‘During his life on earth
he offered up prayer and entreaty
with loud cries and with tears
to the One who had the power to save him from death’.
Again, the absence of his disciples in the image challenges us to ask ourselves - are we keeping vigil with Christ, are we offering and living his prayer: ‘Your kingdom come Your will be done?
Jesus remember us when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus remember us, in the hour of our greatest need. Jesus remember us, help us keep vigil with those suffering today. Jesus remember us
and take our prayers through your Spirit to the very heart of the Father.
