Stations of the Cross 5 and 6

Station Five – Jesus is judges by Pilate

READ – Luke 23: 13 – 25 13

Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 I will therefore have him flogged and release him.” 18 Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” 19 (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” 23 But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

PONDER Look for the word Truth in the image. What was the truth that Pilate believed? What was the truth the crowd believed? What is the truth that Jesus testified to?

PRAY When we bow to pressure to deny our own inner truth, may your grace help us come back to ourselves and to you.

Station Six – Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns

READ – Luke 22: 63 – 65 and John 19: 2 – 3
Luke 22: 63 – 65 63 Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; 64 they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65 They kept heaping many other insults on him.

John 19: 2 – 3 2 And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. 3 They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face.

PONDER Reread the passage. Close your eyes and imagine the scene.

PRAY Grant us a love of neighbor that will not turn our eyes from suffering nor minimize evil.