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

Jesus falls a third time

My Jesus, my life and my hope, I see you fallen a third time under the cross. It isn’t the wood of the cross, but my ingratitude, which makes it too heavy for you to carry. My repeated falls into hateful sin cause you to fall again.

How often I turn from sin to confession, then from confession to sin! Yes, I realize that this is the infinite weight of your most painful cross. But now I resolve to change.

What would become of me in my weakness if you did not help me to rise again whenever I fall? Oh, I see hell opened under my feet ready to swallow me! Most merciful Jesus, sustain me by your suffering, shield me by your wounds, so that I will never again fall into sin, never again.

Reading: John 19:17