Stations of the Cross

One of my favorite Lenten devotions is the Stations of the Cross.  For me, it's a way to make a very personal connection with Christ's Passion, and prepare my heart for the joy of Easter.  Our parish, like many, offers this devotion led by our priest every Friday during Lent, and it's something I try not to miss.  Our oldest daughter enjoys going, as well.  Last Friday's Stations was even more moving, because it was also Benediction!  It was almost overwhelming to kneel before Christ in the Monstrance while following the steps He took to Golgotha!

I think often during Stations about the crosses God has asked me to bear, and more specifically, how I react to them.  Am I embracing them, or am I pushing them away?  At the 2nd Station we say-

Consider, that Jesus, in making this journey with the cross on His shoulders, thought of us, and offered for us, to His Father, the death that He was about to undergo. My most beloved Jesus, I embrace all the tribulations that Thou hast destined for me until death. I beseech Thee, by the merits of the pain Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross, to give me the necessary help to carry mine with perfect patience and resignation. I love Thee, Jesus, my love, I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.

All that Christ has given me, and all that He has suffered for me! I've been given many crosses to bear in my life, but He doesn't ask me to bear them alone!  Christ is always with us, and His grace is sufficient to bear our burdens.  He is steadfast, and when we embrace that which He has destined for us, it speaks to our trust in Him, our acknowledgment and understanding that He truly is with us, filling us with His love and grace as we soldier on!  Our God is great, and He has never asked us to suffer alone.