St. Leonard's Way of the Cross: Second Station

Jesus takes up the cross

My most loving Jesus, you're already on the way to Calvary. It's not enough for you to have a crown of thorns, chains around your waist, scourges, wounds, blood covering your divine body: you also desire the cross.

You embrace it with such meekness, and I, with such diligence, seek to avoid it. You humbly accept so great a weight upon your innocent shoulders, and I, full of pride, reject my own lesser cross. How blind I am! You teach me to suffer so that I may be saved, and I neglect my salvation because I do not wish to suffer.

My dear Jesus, free me from self-love. And if the cross is the only way to heaven, here I am ready to embrace it. Help me with your mercy.

Reading: John 19:17