A Salesian Way of the Cross
Rev. Lewis S. Fiorelli, OSFS
A Salesian Way of the Cross (pdf format)
The "Way of the Cross" of suffering and affliction is a sure way, one which leads to God and to the perfection of his love if we are faithful. (IX, 83)
First Station: Jesus Is Condemned To Death
"True peace does not lie in not fighting but in conquering."
The Cross is from God, but it is only "cross" if we do not join ourselves to it; for when we are strongly resolved to desire the cross which God gives to us then it is no longer a "cross" at all. If it is from God, why do we not desire it? (XXI, 163)
Second Station: Jesus Is Given His Cross
"Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength."
The Cross has been sanctified because it was the instrument which Jesus used for our redemption. All Christians who aspire to heaven must take up the cross of the Lord and follow Him. This will mean walking in His steps, imitating His virtues and having but one purpose and goal: His. (II, 46: IX, 21)
Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time
"It is love that gives value to our labors."
Notice the infinite goodness of the Savior who wished to die the death of men and women so as to enable us to live according to the original expectation for Adam, that is, to live God's life. But to better grasp the humility of Our Lord, listen to what St. Paul writes: "Though He-was God's Son, He emptied Himself." (Phil. 2:6-7 freely) 0 God, but it is wondrous that the Eternal Word should empty Himself and set aside His proper glory for His creatures who measure up so poorly to His love! (IX, 40)
Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Mother
"Preserve gentleness amid pain."
The Mother of Christ seeks out her Son who is the life of her life. And why does she seek him out? She wishes to be ever near Him, her Son and her God. (V; 45)
Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus
"God desires to use our littleness to do Him a service of great importance."
The evangelists do not name the majority of people who figure in the Passion. But they do recall the name of Simon who helps our Lord carry His Cross. The Cross is the royal gate by which we enter the temple of holiness. Love this altogether precious cross; look upon it with eyes of love. (VII, 44, 45: XXI, 22)
Sixth Station: Veronica Cleanses the Face of Jesus
"God has imprinted on all created things his traces, trails, and footsteps."
I reflect upon the manner in which the Lord suffers. In His heart, He suffers willingly, with patience and love. The cross is a remedy capable of healing all our evils. (II, 179)
Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time
"In the midst of conflict say: 'This is the path to heaven."
He suffers in order to witness to His love for us. 0, how great is His love! Lord, I do not know if I have any love at all, but if I do, it is so little that it is content to shed a single tear; and it believes itself perfected when it utters a few sighs. And yet, 0 Good God, how much I insist and protest and I want to love you and give you my entire heart! (XXVI, 199)
Eighth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
"Remain in peace for God is with you."
Christ has made it clear that He loves our tears when they are caused by love. If we have tears, let us cry them altogether simply, because we certainly could not have a worthier subject over which to cry. (IX, 269)
Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time
"God knows what we are and will hold out His hand to us in a difficult step."
My iniquity is indeed great. 0, Lord, who will deliver me from this labyrinth if not you? We would have reason to fear if we relied on our own strength. For He is with us. (XXVI, 184; IX, 41)
Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped Of His Clothing
"The world holds us to be fools-let us hold it to be mad."
Christ stripped teaches us what we must do to please Him: strip our hearts of all sorts of unworthy affections and pretenses, no longer loving them but desiring nothing other than Him. (IX, 42)
Eleventh Station: Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross
"Our misery is far less than God's mercy."
The Son of God is nailed to the cross. What puts Him there? Certainly it is love. Well, since it is certain that He died for us the least we ought to do for Him is to live from love. Those who want to kiss Christ must mount the cross and be wounded by the thorns of this crown. (IX, 40)
Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on The Cross
"The measure of our love is to love without measure."
Our Lord chose the death of the cross to witness to His Love. There He offered Himself in love, unto love, by love and of love. (Treatise Bk. X, Ch. 17)
Thirteenth Station: Jesus Is Taken From The Cross
"Unhappy is death without the love of Christ;
unhappy is love without the death of Christ."
Love draws all the pains, torments, sufferings, sorrows, wounds, passion, and Cross of our Lord into the heart of His holy Mother. The sword of death which cut through the body of this well-beloved Son also cut through the heart of this all loving Mother. (Treatise, Bk. V; Ch. 4)
Fourteenth Station: Jesus Is Placed In the Tomb
"That we may live in your eternal love,
a Savior of our Souls, we say eternally, Live Jesus!"
Love and death co-penetrate one another in the Savior's passion. We must die to every other love in order to live from Jesus' love, so that we may not die eternally. (Treatise, Bk. XII, Ch. 13)
"LIVE JESUS!"
De Sales Spirituality Center
1120 Blue Ball Road
Childs, Maryland 21916-0043
410-398-3040, ext. 237
mmurray@osfs.org
Copyright 1993 by Rev. Lewis S. Fiorelli, OSFS
|
