Via Dolorosa

 


Christ's route through Jerusalem and to his crucifixion was along a path which has been called Via Dolorosa, or "sorrowful way."

The route leads to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and along the way historical stations of the cross celebrate and bring remembrance to important and meaningful events and encounters of Jesus Christ's last days.  

This week Ella and I joined friends for a local outdoor walk through the stations of the cross.  

It was a pleasant evening and signs of life along the wooded trail seemed to be the perfect backdrop to take some quiet moments and reflect on the greatest gift ever given.

Each individual station had a prayer and a reflection, but what really moved me was the parallel way in which Jesus has been at each station of my life.  And promises to be at yours.

He has wiped my tears of exhaustion and fear.  

He has upheld me through agonizing pain and discomfort.  

He has celebrated my joys, filled my heart with love and taught me to forgive.  

He has been there when I have been betrayed, let down and disappointed.  

I have felt him cheering me on and strengthening me.  

He has loved me when I have given up, and forgiven me more times than I can count.  

Quite simply, and yet profoundly, he has saved me.  

I echo the words of Mary Magdalene in THE CHOSEN, "I was one way; and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him."

As Elder Holland pleaded, "This Easter week and always, may we stand by Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death,” for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Never Fall Away

Image
  In Alma chapter 23, the sons of Mosiah preached to the Lamanites. The law was declared that the word of God could not be obstructed. Note that the law did NOT say that everyone had to embrace and follow it, but their synagogues and temples and homes should be open to them. And then in verse six, something stuck out to me. Something that applies to our day. “They were converted unto the Lord and never did fall away.” NEVER DID FALL AWAY?? That sounds  like an important need in our day.   My immediate question was HOW?  So I read more closely. Verse 7: “For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren.”  They became a righteous people. They did lay down the weapons of their rebellion. They did not fight against God. They did not fight against their brethren. So what does that mean for us?  BECOME a righteous people.  Be willi
Read more

Trust

Image
  As I was riding a bike down the former train route along the Idaho-Montana border, I had hours to quietly reflect and appreciate the lush mountain landscape extending around me as far as I could see.   I was in a prayerful state, open to the promptings of the Spirit.   At one point I came to the edge of a meadow and needed to sit and rest for a bit.   There I found a lovely rustic bench made from a tree right there in the forest.  And it occurred to me how often the things we need are right there in our lives around us. The people, the resources, our talents and gifts. Psalm 34:8 lovingly promises “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him”. He will provide.   And as we learn to recognize that help, we will become more grateful and happy. 
Read more

Seeing

Image
  Even after a full semester, the young 7th grader, who I will call Anna, didn’t seem to have any friends. She said didn’t mind and felt anxious around people.   I rotated her through groups and she would participate as directed but rarely smiled, although she didn’t seem particularly sad or distraught either.   More of an acceptance that this was her life. She didn’t ever talk back or ask questions but she also didn’t complete assignments quite right.  Her other teachers also said that she didn’t follow directions well.   I was patient.  Building trust.  With her and within our classroom.  This had to be a safe place to share the hard parts. And two months ago she finally told me.  She couldn’t see the board.   As in she couldn’t read it without getting within 6 inches of the board! I immediately emailed our school nurse who gave her a screening.  When I asked Anna she said that the test was fine. But the troubles persisted and finally I reached out to her mom and expla
Read more