The Way of the Cross

The Way of the Cross is a traditional devotion commonly prayed in a church or chapel where there are Stations. If this is not possible, it can be prayed anywhere. Reflecting prayerfully on the passion and death of Christ, we are reminded that our sins have caused Him to suffer and die, and that His Passion continues today in suffering humanity. The new form of the Way of the Cross gives the Stations better liturgical and biblical foundation. It expresses the Paschal Mystery more fully, since it not only emphasizes the significance of the Passion and Death of Jesus but also points out that He rose from the dead. The following method suggests very brief reflections and prayers, but they should not hinder spontaneous response. Instead of hurrying through them, take time to elicit sympathy from the heart.

Station 1
The Lord’s Supper
“The day came during the Festival of the Unleavened Bread when the lambs for the Passover meal were to be killed. Jesus sent Peter and John with these instructions: “Go and get the Passover meal ready for us to eat.” “Where do You want us to get it ready?” they asked Him. He answered, “As you go into the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house: ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the room where my disciples and I will eat the Passover meal?’ He will show you a large furnished room upstairs, where you will get everything ready. They went off and found everything just as Jesus told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

When the hour came, Jesus took His place at the table with the apostles. He said to them, “I have wanted so much to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer! For I tell you, I will never again eat it until it is given its full meaning in the Kingdom of God.” Then Jesus took a cup, gave thanks to God and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. I tell you that from now on I will not drink this wine until the Kingdom of God comes.” Then He took a piece of bread, gave thanks to God, broke it, and gave it to them saying, “This is My Body, which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” In the same way, He gave them the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is God’s new covenant sealed with my blood, which is poured out for you.”

“But, look! The one who betrays Me is here at the table with Me! The Son of Man will die as God has decided but how terrible for that man who betrays Him!” Then they began to ask among themselves which one among them it could be who was going to do this.” (Luke 22:7-28)

(Similar Gospel passages: Matthew 26:17-35, Mark 14:12-26, John 13:21-30)

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

Knowing that His time had come, Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with His chosen apostles and instituted the Eucharist. He gave them His own Body and Blood in the form of Bread and Wine. Each time we celebrate the Mass, we are once again invited to partake of the Last Supper.

LORD, thank You for nourishing me with Your Body and Blood in Holy Communion. Help me to grow in appreciation of Your Precious Gift and make me remember our covenant of friendship in this Sacred Meal so that I may continue to live this in my everyday life and share it with others. Amen.

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us. Amen.

Station 2
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
“Jesus left the city and went, as He usually did, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples went with Him. When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” Then He went off from them about the distance of a stone’s throw and knelt down and prayed. “Father,” He said, “if You will, take this cup of suffering away from Me. Not My Will, however, but Your Will be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. In great anguish, He prayed even more fervently; His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Rising from His prayer, he went back to the disciples and found them asleep, worn out by their grief. He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you will not fall into temptation.” (Luke 22:39-46)

(Similar Gospel passages: Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42)

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

After the Paschal meal, Jesus went to a garden called Gethsemane to pray. But His disciples were overcome by sleep and He was left alone in agony and distress. The thought of His Death must have caused this anguish. We, too, feel deep separation and sadness at times, and often, we cannot explain the reason why.

LORD, teach me to pray. Comfort me in times of sadness and help me overcome the fears and anxieties I feel because of my insecurities and failures and the evils that surround me. Amen.

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us. Amen.

Station 3
Jesus before the Council
“Those who had arrested Jesus took Him to the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where the teachers of the Law and the elders had gathered together. Peter followed from a distance, as far as the courtyard of the High Priest’s house. He went into the courtyard and sat down with the guards to see how it would all come out. The chief priests and the whole Council tried to find some false evidence against Jesus to put Him to death; but they could not find any, even though many people came forward and told lies about Him. Finally two men stepped up and said, “This Man said, ‘I am able to tear down God’s Temple and three days later build it back up.’” The High Priest stood up and said to Jesus, ”Have You no answer to give to this accusation against You?” But Jesus kept quiet. Again the High Priest spoke to Him, “In the name of the Living God, I now put You under oath: tell us if You are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Jesus answered, “So you say. But I tell all of you: from this time on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of the Almighty and coming down on the clouds of heaven!” At this the High Priest tore his clothes and said, “Blasphemy! We don’t need any more witnesses! You have just heard his blasphemy! What do you think?” They answered, “He is guilty and must die.” Then they spat on His Face and beat Him; and those who slapped Him said, “Prophesy for us, Messiah! Guess who hit You!” (Matthew 26:57-68)

(Similar Gospel passages: Mark 14:53-65, Luke 22:54,55,63-71, John 18:13,14,19-24)

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

After capturing Him, His enemies led Jesus to the High Priest and the assembled elders. They tried to convict Him with false evidence. What evidence is there of my faith in Jesus?

LORD, when I have the opportunity to give witness to You, allow me to show genuine evidence by my truly Christian lifestyle. Grant me the strength and courage for this, LORD. Amen.

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us. Amen.

Station 4
Jesus is Sentenced to Death
“Jesus stood before the Roman governor, who questioned Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” “So you say,” answered Jesus. But He said nothing in response to the accusations of the chief priests and others. So Pilate said to Him, “Don’t You hear all these things they accuse You of?” But Jesus refused to answer a single word, with the result that the Governor was greatly surprised.

At every Passover Festival the Roman governor was in the habit of setting free any one prisoner the crowd asked for. At that time there was a well-known prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd gathered, Pilate asked them. “Which one do you want me to set free for you? Jesus Barabbas or Jesus called the Messiah? He knew very well the Jewish authorities had handed Jesus over to him because they were jealous.

While Pilate was sitting in the judgment hall, his wife sent him a message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, because in a dream last night I suffered much on account of Him.”

The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask Pilate to set Barabbas free and have Jesus put to death. But Pilate asked the crowd, “Which one of these two do you want me to set free for you?” “Barabbas!” they answered. “What, then, shall I do with Jesus the Messiah?” Pilate asked them. “Crucify Him!” they all answered. But Pilate asked, “What crime has he committed?” Then they started shouting at the top of their voices: “Crucify Him!”

When Pilate saw that it was no use to go on, but that a riot might break out, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am not responsible for the death of this man! This is your doing!” The whole crowd answered, “Let the responsibility for His death fall on us and on our children!” Then Pilate set Barabbas free for them: and after he had Jesus whipped, he handed Him over to be crucified.” (Matthew 27:11-26)

(Similar Gospel passages: Mark 15:1-5, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28-19:16)

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

Accused falsely of treason, Jesus was brought before Pilate and was condemned to die like a criminal. But injustice did not end with the trial of Jesus. Innocent people all over the world are condemned and destroyed. Am I also guilty of condemning the innocent?

LORD, let me see You in every person I meet so that I may not give way to the injustice of prejudice. Teach me compassion for the innocent and oppressed. Amen.

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us. Amen.

Station 5
The Soldiers Make Fun of Jesus
“Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him whipped. The soldiers made a crown out of thorny branches and put it on His Head; then they put a purple robe on Him and came to Him and said, “Long live the King of the Jews!” And they went up and slapped Him. (John 19:1-3)

“Then Pilate’s soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s palace, and the whole company gathered around Him. They stripped off his clothes and put a scarlet robe on Him. Then they made a crown of thorny branches and placed it on His Head, and put a stick in His Right Hand; then they knelt before Him and made fun of Him. “Long live the King of the Jews! they said. They spat on Him, and took the stick and hit Him over the Head. When they had finished making fun of Him, they took the robe off and put His own clothes back on Him. Then they led Him out to crucify Him. (Matthew 27:27-31)

(Similar Gospel passages: Mark 15:16-20, John 19:1-3)

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

Although he found no fault in Him, Pilate had Jesus taken away and scourged. The soldiers put a crown of thorns on His Head and mocked Him. How many innocent people today suffer from the harsh judgment of others?

LORD, when I feel humiliated and powerless give me the strength to suffer in silence like You. Amen.

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us. Amen.

Station 6
Jesus Accepts His Cross
“Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took charge of Jesus. He went out carrying His Cross, and came to “The Place of the Skull,” as it is called.” (In Hebrew it is called “Golgotha.”) (John 19:16-17)

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

A heavy cross was laid on His Shoulder and Jesus accepted it. Man is burdened by crosses throughout the world, especially those brought about by man – war, hunger, poverty. Do I notice the people around me who are carrying their crosses?

LORD, help me to recognize the crosses others carry, and help me accept the crosses in my life with patience and love, as You did Yours. Amen.

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us. Amen.

Station 7
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
“The soldiers led Jesus away, and as they were going, they met a man from Cyrene named Simeon who was coming into the city from the country. They seized him, put the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.” (Luke 23:26)

(Similar Gospel passages: Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21)

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

The soldiers forced a bystander named Simeon to help Jesus, fearing He might die on the way. Am I reluctant to attend to other people’s problems when I have enough of my own? Are there are things that I can do to help them without adding to my own problems?

LORD, help me to be generous enough to share in other people’s problems and to find the right solutions. Amen.

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us. Amen.

Station 8
Jesus Consoles the Women of Jerusalem
“A large crowd of people followed Him; among them were some women who were weeping and wailing for Him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Women of Jerusalem! Don’t cry for me, but for yourselves and your children. For the days are coming when people will say, ‘How lucky are the women who never had children, who never bore babies, who never nursed them!” That will be the time when people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Hide us!’ For if such things as these are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:27-31)

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

Forgetting His own pain, Jesus consoled the women who are weeping at His condition. If I reflect on the millions who are facing death by starvation in many places around the world, I should also weep.

LORD, help me not simply to weep over other people’s suffering from hunger but also to do whatever I can to relieve it.

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us. Amen.

Station 9
Jesus is Crucified
“There they crucified Him; and they also crucified two other men, one on each side, with Jesus between them. Pilate wrote a notice and had it put on the Cross. “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” is what he wrote. Many people read it, because the place where Jesus was crucified was not far from the city. The notice was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. The chief priests said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This Man said, I am the King of the Jews.’ Pilate answered, “What I have written stays written.”

After the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier. They also took the robe, which was made out of one piece of woven cloth without any seams on it. The soldiers said to one another, “Let’s not tear it; let’s throw dice to see who will get it.” This happened in order to make the scripture come true.” (John 19:18-24)

(Similar Gospel passages: Matthew 27:35-37, Mark 15:24-27)

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

The journey has ended. The soldiers quickly stripped Jesus naked, roughly pinned Him down and nail His Hands and Feet to the wood. Today the same process continues. Poor people are stripped of the little they have while the wealthy accumulate more wealth. Political prisoners are tortured, while crime syndicates murder their victims.

LORD, strip me of my selfishness, pride and attachment to things that are not pleasing to You. Keep me from nailing people to crosses by my unjust words and actions. Help me to place less importance on material things than on people and human values. Amen.

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us. Amen.

Station 10
Jesus Forgives the Thief
“One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at Him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God? You received the same sentence He did. Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did: but He has done no wrong.” And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when You come as King!” Jesus said to him, “I promise You that today you will be in Paradise with Me.” (Luke 23:39-43)

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

One of the thieves crucified with Jesus was convinced of His innocence and asked to be remembered in His Kingdom. Jesus replied, “Truly, you will be with Me today in Paradise.” God’s forgiveness is always offered today to those who repent sincerely.

LORD, help me to see and acknowledge my sins honestly. Like the good thief, I repent of my sins and ask You to take me with You to Paradise. Amen.

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us. Amen.

Station 11
Jesus Entrusts His Mother to John
“Standing close to Jesus’ Cross were His Mother, His Mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus saw His Mother and the disciple he loved standing there, so He said to His Mother, “He is your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “She is your Mother.” From that time the disciple took her to live in his home. (John 19:25-27)

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

When Jesus saw His Mother and His beloved Apostle standing nearby, he said to His Mother, “Woman, this is your son,” and to John, “There is your Mother.” Mary’s pain and compassion is echoed today in the hearts of women who grieve for their murdered husbands and sons.

LORD, thank You for giving me Your Mother to be my own. Touch my heart with Her deep sorrow at Your Death. Help me to love and reverence Her as You did. Amen.

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us. Amen.

Station 12
The Death of Jesus
Luke 23:44-49:
“It was about twelve o’clock when the sun stopped shining and darkness covered the whole country until three o’clock; and the curtain hanging in the Temple was torn into two. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father! In Your Hands I place my spirit!” He said this and died.

The army officer saw what happened and he praised God saying, “Certainly He was a good man!” When the people who had gathered there to watch the spectacle saw what happened, they all went back home, beating their breasts in sorrow. All those who knew Jesus personally including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance to watch.”

Mark 15:33-39:
“At noon the whole country was covered with darkness, which lasted for three hours. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud shout “Eloi, Eloi, lema, sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why did You abandon Me?” Some of the people there heard Him and said, “Listen, He is calling for Elijah! One of them ran up with a sponge, soaked it in cheap wine, and put it on the end of a stick. Then he held it up to Jesus’ lips and said, “Wait! Let us see if Elijah is coming to bring Him down from the Cross!” With a loud cry Jesus died.

The curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The army officer who was standing there in front of the Cross saw how Jesus had died. “This Man was really the Son of God!” he said. Some women were there looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of the younger James and of Joseph, and Salome. They had followed Jesus while He was in Galilee and helped Him. Many other women who had come to Jerusalem with Him were there also.”

Matthew 27:45-56:
“At noon the whole country was covered with darkness, which lasted for three hours. At about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud shout, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, My God, why did You abandon Me?” Some of the people standing there heard Him and said, ”He is calling for Elijah!” One of them ran up at once, took a sponge, soaked it in cheap wine, put it on the end of a stick, and tried to make Him drink it. But the others said, “Wait, let us see if Elijah is coming to save Him!” Jesus again gave a loud cry and breathed His last.

Then the curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split apart, the graves broke open, and many of God’s people who had died were raised to life. They left the graves, and after Jesus rose from death, they went into the Holy City, where many people saw them. When the army officer and the soldiers with him who were watching Jesus saw the earthquake and everything else that happened, they were terrified and said, “He really was the Son of God!” There were many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee and helped Him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the wife of Zebedee.”

John 19:28-30:
Jesus knew that by now everything had been completed; and in order to make the scripture come true, He said, “I am thirsty.” A bowl was there, full of cheap wine; so a sponge was soaked in the wine, put on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted up to His Lips. Jesus drank the wine and said, “It is finished!” Then He bowed His Head and gave up His Spirit.”

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

The nightmare of pain and suffering had come to an end. Jesus agonized for three hours and expired. Jesus was not the first, nor the last, to die a violent death. Violence continues today wherever there is hatred instead of love.

LORD, as You commended Your Spirit to Your Father, I commend my whole life to Your service. As You died on the Cross for me, let me live for You. Amen.

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us. Amen.

Station 13
The Burial of Jesus
“It was toward evening when Joseph of Arimathea arrived. He was a respected member of the Council, who was waiting for the coming of the Kingdom of God. It was Preparation day (that is, the day before the Sabbath), so Joseph went boldly into the presence of Pilate and asked him for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead. He called the army officer and asked him if Jesus had been dead for a long time. After hearing the officer’s report, Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. Joseph brought a linen sheet, took the body down, wrapped it in the sheet, and placed it in a tomb which had been dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph were watching and saw where the body of Jesus was placed.” (Mark 15:42-47)

(Similar Gospel passages: Matthew 27:57-61, Luke 23:50-53, John 19: 38-42)

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

What greater grief is there than a mother’s for a dead son. What greater loss than that of a loved one. How do I feel and behave when someone dies?

Mary, my Mother, give me a share of your compassion and love. Teach me how to comfort those who are grieving and give them the consolation of the Faith. Amen.

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us. Amen.

Station 14
The Resurrection
Luke 24:1-49:
“Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, so they went in; but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two men in bright shining clothes stood by them. Full of fear, the women bowed down to the ground, as the men said to them, “Why are you looking among the dead for the one who is alive? He is not here; He has been raised. Remember what He said to You while He was in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.”

Then the women remembered His Words, returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven disciples and all the rest. The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the Mother of James; they and the other women with them told these things to the apostles. But the apostles thought that what the women said was non-sense, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; he bent down and saw the grave clothes but nothing else. Then he went back home amazed at what had happened.

On that same day two of Jesus’ followers were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. As they talked and discussed, Jesus Himself drew near and walked along with them; they saw Him, but somehow did not recognize Him. Jesus said to them, “What are you talking about to each other as you walk along?” They stood still, with sad faces. One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have been happening there these last few days?” “What things?” He asked. The things that happened to Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “This Man was a prophet and was considered by God and by all the people to be powerful in everything He said and did. Our chief priests and rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and He was crucified. And we had hoped that He would be the One who was going to set Israel free! Besides all that, this is now the third day since it happened. Some of the women of our group surprised us; they went at dawn to the tomb, but they could not find His Body. They came back saying that they had seen a vision of angels who told them that He is alive. Some of our group went to the tomb and found it exactly as the women had said, but they did not see Him.” Then Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, how slow you are to believe everything the prophets said! Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and then to enter His Glory?” And Jesus explained to them what was said about Himself in all the Scriptures, beginning with the books of Moses and the writings of all the prophets. As they came near the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if He were going farther; but they held Him back, saying, “Stay with us; the day is almost over and it is getting dark.” So He went in to stay with them. He sat down to eat with them, took the bread and said the blessing; then He broke the bread and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, but He disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Wasn’t it like a fire burning in us when He talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” They got up at once and went back to Jerusalem, where they found the eleven disciples gathered together with the others and saying, “The Lord has risen indeed! He has appeared to Simon!” The two then explained to them what had happened on the road and how they had recognized the Lord when He broke the bread.

While the two were telling them this, suddenly the Lord Himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you!” They were terrified thinking that they were seeing a ghost. But He said to them, “Why are you alarmed? Why are these doubts coming up in your minds? Look at My Hands and My Feet, and see that it is Myself. Feel me and you will know, for a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you can see I have.” He said this and showed them His Hands and Feet. They still could not believe, they were so full of joy and wonder; so He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave Him a piece of cooked fish, which He took and ate in their presence. Then He said to them, “These are the very things I told you about while I was still with you: everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the writings of the prophets, and the Psalms had to come true.”

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “This is what is written, the Messiah must suffer and must rise from death three days later, and in His name the message about repentance and the forgiveness of sins must be preached to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And I Myself will send upon you what My Father has promised. But you must wait in the city until the power from above comes down on you.”

John 20-21:
“Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the entrance. She went running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!” Then Peter and the other disciple went to the tomb. The two of them were running, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and saw the linen cloths, but He did not go in. Behind him came Simon Peter, and he went straight into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there and the cloth which had been around Jesus’ head. It has not lying with the linen cloths but was rolled up by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed. (They still did not understand the scripture which said that he must rise from death.) Then the disciples went back home.

Mary stood crying outside the tomb. While she was still crying, she bent over and looked in the tomb and saw two angels there dressed in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and the other at the feet. “Woman, why are you crying?” they asked her. She answered, “They have taken my Lord away and I do not know where they have put Him!” Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not know that it was Jesus. “Woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who is it that you are looking for?” She thought He was the gardener, so she said to Him, “If you took Him away, sir, tell me where you have put Him and I will go and get Him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward Him and said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (This means “Teacher.”) “Do not hold on to Me,” Jesus told Her, “because I have not yet gone back up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am returning to Him who is My Father and their Father, My God and their God.” So Mary Magdalene went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and related to them what He had told her.

It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” He said. After saying this, He showed them His Hands and His Side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord. Jesus said to them again.”Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.” Then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ”We have seen the Lord!” Thomas said to them, unless I see the scars of nails in His Hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in His Side, I will not believe.” A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked and Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My Hands; then reach out your hand and put it in My Side. Stop your doubting and believe!” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and My God!” Jesus said to him, “Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing Me!”

In His disciples’ presence, Jesus performed many other miracles which are not written down in this book. But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your Faith in Him you may have life.

After this, Jesus appeared once more to His disciples at Lake Tiberias. This is how it happened. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael (the one from Cana in Galilee), the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples of Jesus were all together. Simon Peter said to the others, “I am going fishing.” “We will come with you,” they told him. So they went out in a boat, but all that night they did not catch a thing. As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water’s edge, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then He asked, “Young men, have you caught anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered. He said to them, “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.” So they threw the net out and could not pull it back in, because they had caught so many fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken his clothes off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples came to shore in the boat pulling the net full of fish. They were not very far from land, about a hundred yards away. When they stepped ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it and some bread. Then Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore full of big fish, a hundred and fifty-three in all; even though there were so many, still the net did not tear. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat.” None of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?” because they knew it was the Lord. So Jesus went over, took the bread, and gave it to them; he did the same with the fish. This, then, was the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from death.

After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do You love me more than these others do?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know that I love You.” Jesus said to Him, “Take care of my lambs.” A second time Jesus said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” A third time Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you Love me?” Peter became sad because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you Love me?” and so he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You!” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep. I am telling you the truth: when you were young, you used to get ready and go anywhere you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you up and take you where you don’t want to go.” (In saying this, Jesus was indicating the way in which Peter would die and bring glory to God.) Then Jesus said to him, “Follow Me!”

Peter turned around and saw behind him that other disciple, whom Jesus loved – the one who had leaned close to Jesus at the meal and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You?” When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus answered him, “If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you? Follow Me!” So a report spread among the followers of Jesus that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say he would not die; He said, “If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you?” He is the disciple who spoke of these things, the one who also wrote them down; and we know that what he said is true.

Now there are many other things that Jesus did. If they were all written down one by one. I suppose the whole world could not hold all the books that would be written.”

Mark 16:1-20:
“After the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices to go and anoint the body of Jesus. Very early on Sunday morning, at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the way they said to one another, who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb? (It was a very large stone.) Then they looked up and saw that the stone had already been rolled back. So they entered the tomb where they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe – and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed, he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He is not here – He has been raised! Look, here is the place where He was placed. Now go and give this message to His disciples, including Peter: He is going to Galilee ahead of you; there you will see Him, just as He told you.” So they went out and ran from the tomb, distressed and terrified. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

After Jesus rose from death early on Sunday appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons. She went and told His companions. They were mourning and crying; and when they heard her say that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe her.

After this, Jesus appeared in a different manner to two of them while they were on their way to the country. They returned and told the others, but these would not believe it.

Last of all, Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating. He scolded them, because they did not have faith and because they were too stubborn to believe those who had seen Him alive. He said to them, “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. Believers will be given power to perform miracles: they will drive out demons in My Name; they will speak in strange tongues; if they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be harmed; they will place their hands on sick people, and these will get healed.

After the Lord Jesus had talked with them, He was taken up to heaven and sat at the right side of God. The disciples went and preached everywhere, and the Lord was with them and proved that their preaching was true by the miracles that were performed.”

(Similar Gospel passages: Matthew 28:1-5, Luke 24:1-45, John 20:1-29)

Genuflect and pray: We adore you, O CHRIST, and we bless You; because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory…

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, the women came with perfumes and ointments they had prepared for the Body of Jesus. But an angel appeared and told them, “Do not be frightened. I know that you are looking for Jesus the crucified, but He is not here. He has been raised, exactly as He promised.”

The Resurrection of Jesus reminds me that all suffering and pain is worthwhile and somehow makes sense. It reminds me that each human being has been redeemed by Jesus out of love. It reminds me that my life must be patterned after that of Jesus, so that by following Him in pain, I may also follow Him in glory.

LORD JESUS, Your Resurrection gives me great hope and joy. Let me bring the good news to those who feel hopeless. By Your Glorious Resurrection, make us all Easter Christians, aware of Your Promise that we too shall rise and live with You forever. Amen.

May the Risen Christ keep us optimistic, active, smiling, and perceptive, for God’s greater Glory. Amen.

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)