Jesus is Condemned to Death

FIRST STATION

Jesus was betrayed by a close friend who took a bribe; He was abandoned by all his followers who were terrified for themselves; He was sagely tortured and mocked by the occupying forces; He was falsely accused by his own religious and political leaders, who wanted to destroy for reasons of "national security"; He was a threat to their kind of power. Finally, sentenced to death by a cruel mob and a cowardly foreign judge.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, to accomplish the will of your Father you made yourself obedient even to death on the cross. you knew distress and fear in the face of the anguish and torment of your passion and death. Help us to discern in every moment of our lives the signs of God's love for us. Increase our faith so that in moments of trial when our faith is tested we may pray with you, "Let it be as you, not I, would have it."