Ninth Station, Way of the Cross 2010

JOSEPH FÜHRICH (1800-1876)
WAY OF THE CROSS 1844-46
CHURCH OF ST JOHN NEPOMUK - VIENNA

NINTH STATION
Jesus falls the third time

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

From the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 5:19–21

In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation; … We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

MEDITATION

The real reason why Christ fell repeatedly was not simply his physical sufferings, or human betrayal, but the will of the Father. That mysterious will, humanly incomprehensible, yet infinitely good and generous, whereby Jesus became “sin for us”. All the sins of humanity were placed upon him and that mysterious exchange took place whereby we sinners became “the righteousness of God”.

In our efforts to identify ourselves completely with Jesus as he walks and falls beneath the cross, it is right for us to have feelings of repentance and sorrow. But stronger still should be the feeling of gratitude welling up in our hearts.

Yes, Lord, you have redeemed us, you have set us free; by your cross you have made us righteous before God. You have also joined us so deeply to yourself that we too have been made, in you, God’s children, members of his household and his friends. Thank you Lord; may gratitude towards you be the distinguishing mark of our lives.

All:

Pater noster, qui es in cælis:
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua, sicut in cælo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a malo.

Fac ut ardeat cor meum
in amando Christum Deum,
ut sibi complaceam.