Good morning Friars! I am Josaphat Urytskyy of the Class of 2027. I know it’s early, and we’re all tired, maybe even half asleep. Yet we’ve all gathered here today for a very special purpose: to pray the Stations of the Cross. I’m sure there may be a multitude of other things that we may be worried about: tests, quizzes, homework assignments we haven’t turned in yet, all on the day before Spring Break. Yet God brought us all here today for a reason: to pray the Stations of the Cross. During this time, I ask that you focus and dedicate yourself to spiritually grow closer to God.
 

The Stations are a series of 14 scenes which depict Jesus’s road from his condemnation to when he was placed in the tomb. It takes its inspiration from the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. The Via Dolorosa is a physical path that walks through the Stations in the places in Jerusalem where the events actually occurred. The Stations typically place us in scenes of Jesus’s passion using images. Each Station depicts an important moment along Jesus’ path to his death and burial. The Stations of the Cross are an opportunity to reflect more deeply on Jesus’ passion.

Out of all the stations, the one that has always stood out to me was the twelfth station. The twelfth station is the one in which Jesus dies. Jesus, fully God, fully man, dies. Can you imagine what that might have felt like? The Son of God succumbing to that which we all must face someday. All hope must have been lost; it might have been hard to believe. Yet this was all intentional, this was all part of God’s plan. John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus died for us; we are Jesus’ friends. He died for us so that we may have life eternal. His sacrifice was for us; he showed us his ultimate love. I think that it is sad that Jesus had to go through all this pain and suffering, but I also think it is beautiful that He died for us, died so that we may have eternal life. Jesus loves all of us, and God has a plan for all of us. It may come in an unconventional manner, but we have to follow in the way that he leads.

Some of you may have prayed the Stations multiple times, others may have never prayed them before. Whatever the case may be, be open to this experience that is coming ahead. Don’t let your mind wander, but instead focus on the Passion. Find a station that speaks to you, one that you find particularly meaningful and think about why you find it meaningful. Jesus died for us, his friends. As his friends let us remember his final journey. Let us all draw closer to God and see what He has brought us here for.

Thank you and God bless.