Via Crucis :: Immersion

Tenth Station:  Jesus is Crucified (Luke 23: 33-34)

^{3 3}When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left.

 ^34-35 Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing."

   Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, "He saved others. Let's see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha! The Chosen—ha!"

Everything leads up to this moment, the crucifixion. From birth, through ministry, to arrest and trial culminating in this moment. "They nailed him to a wooden cross to die a crim'nal's death. They scorned him in his final hours as he labored for each breath. (...) Truly this was God's only son, convicted, condemned and now crucified." Innocent save for us, humanity. He died because of us, he died for us. We died with him. I died with him.


Father God, I have said this before but there really isn't enough thank yous that can be lifted up to you for your sacrifice. Because of His death, I have life. Thank you.

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 37 - a quote about something from your bucket list

"I like the spirit of a bucket list if not the exact phrase. I like exhilarating memories but not to the exclusion of meaningful experiences. And I like lofty goals if they do not obscure the rest of what matters."
~ Christopher Peterson, PhD

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 36 - a quote about your day 


"What my day is like depends on where I am." 
 ~ Daniela Pestova

Via Crucis :: Immersion

Ninth Station:  Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem (Luke 23: 27-31)

Skull Hill

 ^27-31 A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. The time is coming when they'll say, 'Lucky the women who never conceived! Lucky the wombs that never gave birth! Lucky the breasts that never gave milk!' Then they'll start calling to the mountains, 'Fall down on us!' calling to the hills, 'Cover us up!' If people do these things to a live, green tree, can you imagine what they'll do with deadwood?"

What difficult words Jesus spoke to the women who wailed and wept and moaned. What do they mean, these words that feel so harsh? Were they prophetic words? According to one commentary, Jesus is allowed to pause to speak to the women and he gives a warning to the total destruction of the Temple under the Roman Occupation. Isn't it odd that as Jesus is being marched off to death, surrounded by Roman soldiers so that none of his disciples who follow could attempt rescue, that He pauses to give warning to those near him? He thinks of others above himself even yet.


Father God, may I think of others before self even up to my dying day. May I always offer words of comfort to all people in my life. May I encourage and uplift, give warning and advice until I am no longer to speak.

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 35 – a quote about your night

"The repose of sleep refreshes only the body. It rarely sets the soul at rest. The repose of the night does not belong to us. It is not the possession of our being. Sleep opens within us an inn for phantoms. In the morning we must sweep out the shadows."
~ Gaston Bachelard

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 34 – a quote to a person who you would love to trade places with for a day

"There are a few parts of my brain that are missing. I know this not because I used to have them, because I didn’t, but because of how other people refer to their own feelings and thoughts, which I simply can’t relate to or sometimes even decipher."
~ Cathy O'Neil

Via Crucis :: Immersion

Eighth Station:  Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross (Mark 15: 21)

The Crucifixion

 ²¹ There was a man walking by, coming from work, Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. They made him carry Jesus' cross.

It is immensely relieving to know that there are those who still offered aide to Jesus, especially in His darkest hours. I know from my own personal experience what a comfort it is to have the kindness of others, even strangers, at times when I am in the depths of despair. That Christ was left utterly alone by those closest to him, that the kindness of this stranger was a beacon of light, the love of his Father, well...I can only imagine. Did you feel the love? Did you know at that moment that your heavenly Father had not forsaken you? Did you understand that Simon the Cyrenian was the comforting hand that you so needed at that time?


Father God, may I always recognize your presence in my life, in whatever form you send it; be it through the smile of a stranger, the embrace of a loved one, or the kiss of family.