HOLY WEEK, 2020 INTRODUCTION to STATIONS of the CROSS Pilgrims for centuries have journeyed to Jerusalem to walk in the final footsteps of Jesus along the Via Delorosa, the Way of the Cross. During the Crusades it was not safe to go to Jerusalem so villages in Europe began to create 14 Stations to tell the story of Jesus last journey, from his meeting with Pilate to his burial in the tomb. Almost every Catholic Church in the world has the Stations of the Cross displayed. These traditional stations have been adapted for the St. Luke’s community.
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IMAGES OF JESUS IS OUR THEME Throughout the ages Jesus has been the central image of religious art. Because there are no physical descriptions of Jesus in the Gospels, artists have been free to imagine Jesus in many ways. About 9 years ago, Betty Brandt collected all the images of Jesus that were scattered around St. Luke’s building. Some were hanging in offices, some were in closets, some were stashed behind desks. She created a “Jesus Gallery” in the hallway between Robertson Chapel and the Main Office. With money donated in memory of Minnetta Millard, lighting was installed. The collection continues to expand and be rotated. Now you can “walk” through the gallery as part of this year’s Stations of the Cross. Please find a journal or tablet to carry with you to respond to the images and suggestions that accompany each Station. May you be blessed by this Holy Week journey.
Written by Betty Brandt and Kaylee Vida
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STATION I: Jesus is condemned to death SCRIPTURE John 19:1-4 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”
BURLAP JESUS
Artist Unknown
This image of Jesus, molded from burlap, is intense. We can see the agony in Jesus’ face. We can imagine the sweat in his hair. We can almost feel the sharpness of the thorns. This is not a picture of Jesus that is easy to see. It is hard to see the suffering and pain in his face. Yet here it is. Jesus, both human and divine, wearing a crown of thorns on his head. Meditate on this image for a few minutes and then take some time to write in your journal what it means for you personally that Jesus suffered and went through pain.
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STATION II: Jesus carries his cross SCRIPTURE John 19:17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).
JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Artist Unknown
This gentle picture of Jesus reminds us of Jesus’ self-proclamation in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd.” A good shepherd cares for his sheep, going after them when they have gone astray, tending to their wounds, making sure they have adequate food and water. Study the loving way Jesus is looking at the sheep he cradles in his arms. Notice how the little lamb is at ease, knowing there is nothing to fear while it is being held in the shepherd’s arms. Picture yourself as that little lamb, held tenderly in Jesus’ arm while he looks lovingly upon you. Remember, Jesus is YOUR good shepherd, too. Can you imagine being without fear? What would life be like for you?
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STATION III: Jesus falls the first time SCRIPTURE Isaiah 43:1-3 Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
HEAD OF CHRIST
by Warner Sallman (1940) If you are over the age of 60 this may be the most familiar image of Jesus for you. It had been reproduced over half a billion times worldwide by the end of the 20th century. Some say it symbolizes a virile, manly Christ, while for others it has embodied a more intimate and nurturing Jesus, a personal saviour for modern times. What do you see in this image? Take a few minutes to study the face and reflect on its power for you. The original is owned by Anderson University in Anderson IN. They own about 200 of Sallman’s works and they can be seen in the Scheierman Gallery on the second floor of the York Performance Hall, open Tuesday and Friday, 1-4PM (except in the summer months).
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STATION IV: Jesus meets his mother SCRIPTURE Psalm 5:1-3 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up.
JESUS AS A CHILD
by Wanda L. Bell
Have you ever thought about Jesus as a child? We don’t have much about his childhood in the stories of the New Testament. But the fact is, he had a childhood. He was once a little boy, much like the little boy in this picture. Jesus probably played, used his imagination, ran around his village, fell down, got hurt, and cried. As you ponder this, think about the children in your life. How can you interact with them? Can you see Jesus in them? Remember, Jesus was a child once too.
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STATION V: Simon helps Jesus SCRIPTURE Mark 15:21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.
JESUS AT HEART’S DOOR
by Warner Sallman
This famous painting by Warner Sallman is based on Revelation 3:20, “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” Can you think of any better guest to welcome into your home than Jesus? Consider that every time you open the door of your home to someone you are opening the door to Jesus. Every time you welcome someone in, you are welcoming Jesus in as well. When someone joins you at your table for a meal, you are feeding Jesus too. Do you open your door to guests? Do you open the door for Jesus?
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STATION VI: Veronica comforts Jesus SCRIPTURE John 13:33-35 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.�
SURFER JESUS
by Mary Connolly (1987) This blonde, blue eyed Jesus probably looks nothing like a middle eastern man who lived two thousand years ago. Do you find the image engaging? What about the extended hand? This is unusual. What about the background? I can imagine that the artist was painting a very personal Jesus. What would your very personal Jesus look like? Take a moment to reflect and write down your ideas.
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STATION VII: Jesus falls the second time SCRIPTURE Psalm 142:1-3a I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way.
LAUGHING JESUS
by Ralph Kozak
Does this picture of Jesus surprise you? Nearly all other pictures of Jesus are always of him looking somber, or at the very least, serious. Not this one. Jesus is laughing! And not just a little chuckle, but a full-on, head-tilted back belly laugh. There is such joy in this picture! It is a good reminder to us that joy and laughter should be part of our lives. When we forget to picture Jesus like this and only see him as serious we tend to think we should always be serious, and we forget to laugh often. When was the last time you had a good laugh? Go ahead, do it now. Tilt your head back and laugh with your friend Jesus.
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STATION VIII: Jesus and the women of Jerusalem SCRIPTURE Luke 23:27-28 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
CHRIST PANTOCRATOR
(6th Century)
This image, entitled Christ Pantocrator, is an icon from the 6th century and remains a central icon of the Eastern Orthodox Church today. The word pantocrator is often translated as “almighty” but can also be translated as “ruler of all” or “sustainer of the world.” As you study this picture, notice the differences in the two sides of Christ’s face. His left side is softer, representing his humanity, whereas his right side is symbolic of his divinity with sterner features and an intense look. What does that mean for you personally that Christ was both human and divine? What does that mean for our church? For our world?
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STATION IX: Jesus falls the third time SCRIPTURE Matthew 23:11-12 The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
BLACK JESUS
by John Campbell
If you are a white person, try to imagine what it would be like if all the images of Jesus you have ever seen were of a black man rather than a European white man. Would you think that he was so unlike you that you couldn’t relate to him? Would you think of God the Father as black too? This has been the struggle of black people through the centuries. If you are a black person, what feelings are stirred up seeing Jesus as a person with skin the color of your skin? If you are a brown person, have you ever seen a Jesus with brown skin? Take time to write down your reactions to this image. What do your reactions reveal?
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STATION X: Jesus is stripped of his garments SCRIPTURE John 19:23-24 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” So this is what the soldiers did.
CHRIST OF ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS
by Salvador Dali (1951)
This famous painting of the crucifixion has always been controversial because the angle of view is so different and because the face is hidden. Dali reported that the image without nails, blood or crown of thorns came to him in a “cosmic dream.” What is your reaction to this very different image, especially that you can’t see Jesus’ face? Also the cross appears to be suspended in mid-air. How does that effect your engagement with the image? Does it seem more removed or more powerful for you? Take a minute to write down your responses.
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STATION XI: Jesus is nailed to the cross SCRIPTURE Luke 23:33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left.
SAN DAMIANO CROSS
12th century, Italian
This famous cross hung in an abandoned chapel near Assisi where Francis of Assisi happened to be praying. As he prayed, he heard the voice of God commanding him to “rebuild my church.” He went out of that chapel and changed the world. The unknown painter wanted to teach the meaning of the crucifixion to the people who could not read. If you look carefully you will see the large figure of Jesus, the smaller figures of Mary, John, Mary Magdalene, Mary (mother of James) and a centurion. At the top is Jesus fully clothed climbing out of the tomb, surrounded by angels. Imagine what it would be like to not be able to read and to learn the Bible stories through art like this cross. Think about the stained glass windows we have in our sanctuary. Have you ever looked closely at the windows? What stories do they tell? Like St. Francis have you ever been moved to act because of a piece of art or a photograph you saw? What are the details of that occasion and what did you do?
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STATION XII: Jesus dies on the cross SCRIPTURE John 19:28-30 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
CRUCIFIXION
by Jennifer Mills (2020) Have you ever thought about taking a scripture passage and turning it into a piece of art for yourself? That is what Jennifer Mills has done with the passage from John 19:28-30 for Station XII. Jennifer is part of the Bible Journaling class that meets the 1st Saturday of the month, 10AM - noon in the Spiritual Life Center. Instead of “journaling” with words, try journaling with images, color, markers, bits of fabric, torn pieces of paper, buttons, etc. Jennifer used the image from a worship guide. Read the passage, let the message sink in and then let your creativity take over. You’ll find that the passage has a deeper and maybe surprising meaning for you. The Bible Journaling class welcomes new members – consider joining.
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STATION XIII: Jesus is taken down from the cross SCRIPTURE John 19:31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.
MIDDLE-EASTERN JESUS
by Stanley Gordon (1997)
Stanley Gordon, the artist behind this portrait, painted numerous portraits of Jesus during his lifetime. Gordon said in order to create an artist has to have an image in mind, and for him his image of Jesus was one of a leader, “a man who had the most inspiriting influence on history.” Gordon claimed to not be a very religious guy, but, he said, “I do have faith in Jesus and the influence he had on teaching people how to live their lives. He tried to change people’s lives and make them live better.” As you meditate on this portrait, look into the eyes of Jesus and ask him, “Have I let you change my life and make me live better?”
STATION XIV: Jesus is buried SCRIPTURE John 19:38-42 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
JESUS AS LIGHT OF THE WORLD
by Lalo Gutierrez
There are no physical descriptions of Jesus in the Bible. What if you thought of Jesus as pure light, pure energy? Would that make Jesus more or less accessible to you? Could you think of that pure light as being everywhere and in everything? Could you think of it surrounding you with warmth and love? Is it a better way to think of the divinity of the Christ? Or does it seem too abstract and not understandable? Do you need images that are more concrete to connect with Jesus? Take a few minutes and write down your reactions to this image.
TAKE JESUS WITH YOU Your journey through the Stations of the Cross has ended. But your journey with Jesus has not. These images and experiences can be part of your ongoing spiritual disciplines – especially if you have a favorite image that you want to carry with you. Remember to visit the Jesus Gallery and see these and other images of Jesus. Each time you come to church, pick one image to focus on. Let each one tell the story of Jesus for you.