Station 2

Station 2: Jesus Carries His Cross

Scripture Passage

And Pilate said to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” But they cried out, ”away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priest answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed him over co them to be crucified. And so they took Jesus and led him away, bearing the cross for himself. (John 19:14-17)

Meditation from Fr. Jason Smith, LC

We adore you, O Christ, and praise you, for by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

How could any artist, no matter how gifted, perfectly render the profound love and suffering in Jesus’ face as he embraced his cross? To truly meet Christ’s gaze, we must entrust ourselves to the Divine Artist, the Holy Spirit. We can do that now by praying softly: Come Holy Spirit, come Holy Spirit, come Holy Spirit as we look upon the face of Christ.

The gift of experiencing this Station is found not only in contemplating Jesus’ face but also by noticing the countenances of those who, with faith and love, embrace their own cross. We can find the Second Station in the features of many faces. Through them our eyes meet Christ’s.