I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live.

The Second Station – Jesus Carries His Cross…

V.  We adore thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R.  Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.

When our Divine Redeemer beheld the Cross, He most willingly reach out to it with His bleeding arms.  He embraced it lovingly, kissed it tenderly, took it on His bruised shoulders, and, exhausted as He was, He carried it joyfully.

O my Jesus, I can not be Thy friend and follower if I refuse to carry my cross.  O beloved cross, I embrace Thee, I kiss Thee, I joyfully accept Thee from the hand of God.  Far be it from me to glory in anything save in the Cross of my Lord and Redeemer.  By it the world shall be crucified to me, and I to the world, that I may be Thine forever.

Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…

The Third Station – Jesus Falls the First Time.

V.  We adore thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R.  Because by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.

Carrying the Cross, our dear Savior was so weakened with its heavy weight that He fell exhausted to the ground.  The Cross was light and sweet to Him, but our sins made it so heavy and hard to carry.

Beloved Jesus, Thou didst carry the burden and the heavy weight of my sins.  Should I then not bear in union with Thee my light burden of suffering, and accept the sweet yoke of Thy commandments?  Thy yoke is sweet and Thy burden is light.  I willingly accept it.  I will take up my cross and follow Thee.

Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…

V.  Lord Jesus, crucified.

R.  Have mercy on us.

Hymn…Christ above in torment hands: She beneath beholds the pangs; of here dying glorious man.

Do something great for our Lord today – spend some quiet time in prayer.

God’s will, not mine, be done.

Be not afraid; just have faith.

Jesus, I trust in You.

He must increase; I must decrease.

Lord, if You wish, You can make me clean.

But you man of God chose righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness.  Compete well for the faith.

Eternal God, in Whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion – inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us so that in difficult moments we may not despair nor become despondent but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.