Stations of the Cross

Good Friday – Year B

Stepping outside the lectionary process for a moment –

From Say to This Mountain: Mark’s Story of Discipleship, by Ched Myers, Marie Dennis, Joseph Nangle, OFM, Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, and Stuart Taylor:

"We might legitimately approach this cross with all those who have dared hope for a better world, especially those who have been crushed struggling for a justice that seems forever deferred, and demand an explanation. For who of us is prepared to accept that this is the way to liberation?
     "Attempting to face that question, many Christians who struggle for human rights have appropriated the ritual of Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) in new and creative ways. Whereas traditionally the "Stations of the Cross" offered the believer personal meditations on Jesus' trial, suffering, crucifixion, death, and burial – all designed for spiritual contemplation – now the same "Stations" are given a much broader scope.
     "These alternative liturgies have as their goal a linking of Jesus' journey to Golgotha with the enormous suffering, both personal and social, represented in public places. Those who lead such modern variations of this ancient ritual are often themselves either victims or healers of the social evils being cited. Let us walk through a typical Via Crucis, which might be held in the U.S. capital city." [The authors then append a written description of the "Stations" in Washington, D.C.]

Here is a visual, liberation theology oriented Via Crucis online that may be more immediately usable in a congregational setting in prelude to next year providing a Via Crucis in whatever community we find ourself.