When Jesus falls for the second time, it is not now because the cross he carries is too heavy, but because in his whole body he experiences complete exhaustion. He is totally spent. The years of preaching, of going from town to town with his disciples followed by large crowds, have taken a heavy physical […]
Veronica had been with Jesus as he taught, cured the sick, and announced the kingdom. Jesus had become the center of her life. Now she saw him cruelly pulled away from her. She was overwhelmed with grief and agony and wanted to do something. When she saw him coming close, she broke through the crowds […]
When Jesus was carrying his cross to Golgotha, the soldiers came across a man called Simon, and they enlisted him to carry the cross because it had become too heavy for Jesus alone. He was unable to carry it to the place of his execution and needed the help of a stranger to fulfill his […]
Jesus met his mother as he was being led to his execution. Mary did not faint; she did not scream in rage or despair; she did not try to prevent the soldiers from torturing him more. She looked him in the eyes and knew that this was his hour. In Cana, when she had asked […]
Jesus fell under his cross. He continues to fall. Jesus is not the conquering hero who undergoes suffering with staunch determination and an iron will. No, he never became the proud self-possessed leader who wanted to lead humanity to the great victory over the powers of darkness. When he had grown into maturity, he humbled […]
Pilate handed Jesus over to be scourged. Jesus undergoes it all. The time of action is past. He does not speak any more; he does not protest; he does not reproach or admonish. He has become a victim. He no longer acts, but is acted upon. He has entered his passion. He knows that most […]
Jesus stands before Pilate. He is silent. He does not defend himself against the many charges made against him. But when Pilate asks him, ?What have you done? He says, ?I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my […]
Excerpt from Walk with Jesus, “Introduction: I Walk with Jesus”, posted with the kind permission of Orbis Books.
“The poor who walk on the roads and through the deserts and rough places of this world call me to humility - derived from the Latin word “humus”, which means earth or soil. I have to remain […]
2/6/08 Ash Wednesday. The door to Lent has opened. We are walking through a 40 day desert experience as we identify with Jesus. As we walk through Lent, what is the spiritual life discipline that is a part of your wilderness this Lenten season? For me, it’s giving up my computer game, free cell. I […]