The Way of the Cross All Saints Episcopal Church 3001 ...allsaints-hhi.org/parish/inform/2013...

The Way of the Cross

All Saints Episcopal Church

3001 Meeting Street

Hilton Head Island, SC, 29926

The Way of the Cross

Throughout the Gospels we see Jesus going places:

“Jesus went to Capernaum,”

“Jesus went into the synagogue,”

“Jesus went out beside the lake,”

“Jesus went up on a mountain, and taught

them,”

“Jesus went off to a solitary place, where he

prayed.”

But Christians from earliest times have recognized that

his last journey – from the Garden of Gethsemane, to

the courtyard of Caiaphas, the palace of Pontius Pilate,

and finally to Golgotha – is the most significant.

This booklet is a meditation on the Way of the Cross,

as narrated in the Gospels. As such, it is also an

invitation to listen for God’s “gentle whisper” (1 Kings

19:12) teaching us how to live our lives, and helping us

to understand that our own suffering, like Jesus’

suffering, may have great meaning.

The worshippers assemble in silence…

After a pause, the officiant begins the devotion as all make

the sign of the Cross:

Officiant: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and

of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

Officiant: Let us pray.

All:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power,

and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Officiant: The message about the cross is foolishness to

those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is

the power of God… Has not God made foolish the wisdom

of the world?... God’s foolishness is wiser than human

wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human

strength. (1 Corinthians 1:18, 21, 25)

People: Amen.

The people now move to the first stop.

I

JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

Officiant: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

People: You are the way, the truth, and the life.

Officiant: Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and

his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to

them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew

about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my

will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him

and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more

earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the

ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the

disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.” (Luke 22:39-45)

Officiant: My spirit faints within me; my heart within me

is desolate…

People: I spread out my hands to you; my soul gasps

to you like a thirsty land. (Psalm 143:4, 6)

Officiant: Lord, help us to follow your example…

People: …and do what we are called to do in life, even

if we feel alone and overwhelmed.

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

II

JESUS IS ARRESTED



Officiant: Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve,

appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs,

sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the

elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The

one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under

guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed

him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him…

“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come

out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with

you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me.

But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted

him and fled. (Mark 14:43-50)

Officiant: God has left me at the mercy of

malefactors…

People: …and cast me into the clutches of wicked

men. (Job 16: 11)

Officiant: Lord, help us to have the strength…

People: …to stand by those who need our help.

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

III

JESUS IS CONDEMNED BY

THE SANHEDRIN



Officiant: Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas

the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had

assembled… The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were

looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put

him to death. But they did not find any, though many false

witnesses came forward… But Jesus remained silent. The high

priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God:

Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” “You have said

so,” Jesus replied… Then the high priest tore his clothes and

said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more

Witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do

you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they

spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped

him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”

(Matthew 26: 57-67)

Officiant: They have sharpened their tongues like a

serpent; adder’s poison is under their lips.

People: The proud have hidden a snare for me and

stretched out a net of cords. (Psalm 140: 3, 5)

Officiant: Lord, help us to see beyond our preconceived

ideas…

People: …so that we may act justly, love mercy, and

walk humbly with you.

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

IV

PETER DENIES THAT HE KNOWS JESUS



Officiant: Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a

servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of

Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t

know what you’re talking about,” he said. Then he went out

to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to

the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and

said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you

away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to

them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster

crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken:

“Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

And he went outside and wept bitterly.

(Matthew 26:69-75)

Officiant: My closest friends have forgotten me.

All my intimate friends detest me;

People: those I love have turned against me. (Job 19: 14, 19)

Officiant: Lord, help us to be loyal to you, and to what

you have taught us…

People: …even when we are worried about our own

security.

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

V

JESUS IS CONDEMNED BY PILATE



Officiant: Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with

the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin,

made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and

handed him over to Pilate. “Are you the king of the Jews?”

asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. The chief

priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked

him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things

they are accusing you of.” But Jesus still made no reply,

and Pilate was amazed… (Mark 15: 1-5, 15)

Officiant: He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he did not open his mouth.

People: Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is

silent, so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53: 7)

Officiant: Lord, give us the gift of discernment…

People: …so that we can see as you see, not as

worldly power sees.

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

VI

JEUS IS FLOGGED AND

CROWNED WITH THORNS



Officiant: Pilate… had Jesus flogged, and handed him over

to be crucified. The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace

(that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole

company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then

twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And

they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!”

Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff

and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage

to him. (Mark 14: 15b - 19)

Officiant: My back is filled with searing pain; there is

no health in my body.

People: I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan

in anguish of heart. (Psalm 38: 7-8)

Officiant: Lord, when we feel alone in our suffering…

People: …remind us that you understand.

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

VII

JESUS BEARS THE CROSS



Officiant: Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be

crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his

own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull, which in

Aramaic is called Golgotha. (John 19: 6, 15-17)

Officiant: I looked for sympathy, but there was none;

People: for comforters, but I could find none. (Psalm 69:20)

Officiant: My mind is distraught, my days are

numbered, and the grave is waiting for me.

People: Wherever I turn, men taunt me,

and my day is darkened by their sneers. (Job 17: 1-2)

Officiant: Lord, increase our compassion…

People: …for people who are alone and vilified.

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

VIII

JESUS IS HELPED BY SIMON OF CYRENE



Officiant: As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from

Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the

cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)

Officiant: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the

angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne…Then the

King will say… ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take

your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the

creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me

something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to

drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes

and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in

prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will

answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or

thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a

stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

People: The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you

did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,

you did for me.’ (Matthew 25: 31-40)

Officiant: Lord, help us to notice the burdens that others

carry in life…

People: …and be quick to offer them generous

assistance.

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

IX

JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM



Officiant: A large number of people followed him,

including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus

turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not

weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.

For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the

childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts

that never nursed!’ Then they will say to the mountains,

‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ For if people do

these things when the tree is green, what will happen when

it is dry?” (Luke 23:27-31)

Officiant: I hear many whispering, “Terror on every

side!”

People: But I trust in you, Lord;

I say, “You are my God.” (Psalm 31: 13, 14)

Officiant: Lord, help us to value justice…

People: …more than we value our own comfort

and security.

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

-

X

JESUS IS CRUCIFIED



Officiant: They came to a place called Golgotha, which

means “the place of the skull”. There they offered Jesus

wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he

refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they

divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down,

they kept watch over him there. Above his head they

placed the written charge against him: “This is Jesus, King

of the Jews…”

Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their

heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the

temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come

down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the

same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the

elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he

can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come

down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.” (Matthew 27: 33-36, 39-42)

Officiant: Packs of dogs close me in,

and gangs and evildoers circle around me;

they pierce my hands and my feet;

I can count all my bones.

People: They stare and gloat over me;

they divide my garments among them;

they cast lots for my clothing. (Psalm 22: 16-18)

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

XI

JESUS PROMISES HIS KINGDOM

TO THE GOOD THIEF



Officiant: One of the criminals who hung there hurled

insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and

us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear

God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds

deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he

said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your

kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today

you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23: 39-43)

Officiant: The promises of the LORD are pure,

People: like silver refined in a furnace and

purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6)

Officiant: Lord, we trust your promises.

People: Your promises are our hope. (Psalm 20: 7)

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

XII

JESUS SPEAKS TO HIS MOTHER

AND THE DISCIPLE



Officiant: Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his

mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary

Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the

disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her,

“Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is

your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into

his home. (John 19: 25-27)

Officiant: I bowed my head in grief,

People: as though weeping for my mother. (Psalm 35:14b)

Officiant: Lord, help us to care about the needs of

others…

People: …even when we are suffering ourselves.

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

XIII

JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS



Officiant: From noon until three in the afternoon darkness

came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus

cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli lema sabachthani?”

(which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken

me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they

said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran

and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a

staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now

leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he

gave up his spirit. (Matthew 27: 45-50)

Officiant: My God, my God, why have you forsaken

me? Why are you so far from saving me,

so far from my cries of anguish?

People: My God, I cry out by day, but you do not

answer, by night, but I find no rest. (Psalm 22: 1-2)

Officiant: Lord, in your own good time

People: bring us all home to you.

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

XIV

JESUS IS PLACED IN THE TOMB



Officiant: It was Preparation Day (that is, the day

before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of

Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was

himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to

Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised to

hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion,

he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned

from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to

Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the

body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut

out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of

the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph

saw where he was laid. (Mark 15: 42-47)

Officiant: O my enemies, do not exult over me;

I have fallen, but shall rise again;

People: …though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is

my light. (Micah 7:8)

Officiant: Lord, strengthen our faith.

People: Help us to trust that when our time on

this earth is ended, we will see you face to

face.

All: Holy God.

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on us.

CLOSING DEVOTIONS

The following prayers conclude the service.

Officiant: I am convinced that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the

future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor

anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us

from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

People: Savior of the world, increase our faith.

Officiant: Glory to God whose power, working in us, can

do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to

him from generation to generation in the Church, and in

Christ Jesus for ever and ever. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

People: Amen.

The Way of the Cross All Saints Episcopal Church 3001 ...allsaints-hhi.org/parish/inform/2013...

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