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

Jesus falls again

Here is the king of heaven, the Creator of the universe, once again stretched out on the ground under the heavy cross. What pain, what fatigue, what derision!

My most gentle Jesus, you bathe the ground with sweat from the front of your fallen head, and I, with my pride, have turned against heaven and exalted myself above what I really am, forgetting that I am nothing but lowly dust.

How despicable I am! Humility, my Jesus, humility. Lessen my pride, show me my nothingness. You created me from clay, and to clay I must return. Death is approaching, and my sinfulness weighs against me. Mercy, my God. By your sufferings, grant me sorrow for my sins. By your fall, help me to rise again.

Reading: Luke 23:26