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St. Dominic High School
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Welcome to St. Dominic High School
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Reflections on the Way
These reflections have been written by students in Mrs. Johnson’s Morality class. They have prayerfully reflected on the 14 Stations or moments in the Passion of Jesus Christ. You are asked to prayerfully visit each place along the way to Calvary. Stop and think about what happened at each station. Place yourself in Jesus’ position or that of Mary, Simon, Veronica, John, a soldier, or someone in the crowd. Connect with this passion story. Our hope is that
this experience will make your
February 2007
I. Jesus is Condemned to Death
“The governor said to them in reply, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release to you?’ They answered, ‘Barabbas!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Then what shall I do with Jesus, called Messiah?’ They all said, ‘Let him be crucified!’ But he said, ‘Why? What evil has he done?’ They only shouted the louder, ‘Let him be crucified!’” Matthew 27:21-23
Jesus, after being betrayed by Judas, is brought before the Sanhedrin. After refusing to say he’s not the Son of God, he is presented to the people. Pilate asked the people which man they wanted, Jesus or Barabbas. After choosing Barabbas, they said Jesus should be crucified.
Reflection Jesus, how did it feel to be told you are to die? The people who you tried to help and save have now forsaken you. Jesus, give me the strength to do the right thing and be true to you, even when people deny you. Amen.
Ben Groeblinghoff & Patrick Peanick
II. Jesus Takes Up His Cross
“Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified him with two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle.” John 19:16-18
As he was beaten, Roman soldiers found two large pieces of wood and nailed them together. They laid it across Jesus’ back. As he received the cross, he received all our sins. He started on his long journey. There was a crowd that followed him; many were spitting and swearing at him.
Reflection Jesus, how much pain you must have felt as they laid the cross over your shoulders, having to bear the world’s weight. Please help us carry our daily cross as you carried yours. Amen.
Eddie Padgett & Jake Emge III. Jesus Falls for the First Time
“You have heard the blasphemy. What more do you think? They all condemned him as deserving to die. Some began to spit on him. They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him, ‘Prophesy!’ And the guard greeted him with blows.” Mark 14:64- 65
Everyone has a time where they fall, and most of us have the strength to stand back up. Imagine how hard it was for Jesus to stand back up with the weight of the cross pressing down upon him. Imagine things through his eyes- being spit upon and treated like a criminal, having sticks and reeds whipping at your skin. And worst of all, imagine having to find the strength to stand back up only to know you are about to meet your fate.
Reflection Jesus, when I fall down, give me the courage and strength to get back up. When people do not have the strength to get up, allow me to have the wisdom and to use my strength to bear their cross for them. Amen.
Bud Lanzone & Bobby Bell IV. Jesus Meets Mary, His Mother
“…and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, ‘Behold, this child is destined for the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’” Luke 3:34- 35
On the journey to Jesus’ crucifixion, he sees his mother among the crowd. Jesus can see the pain and suffering in her eyes. Mary’s heart breaks as she sees her only son being beaten, becoming bloody and becoming weak. Like all good mothers, Mary stood by her son’s side in his time of need.
Reflection Jesus, help us to stay strong for our loved ones in their time of need. Guide us to respect those who help us get through life, especially our parents. May we be thankful for all they have done for us. Amen.
Taylor Heinsohn & Jamie Risch
V. Simon Helps Jesus Take Up the Cross
“As they led him away, they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in form the country; and after laying the cross on him, they make him carry it behind Jesus.” Luke 23: 26
In the midst of the heat, a large crowd gathered. Soldiers yanked Simon out of the crowd to help Jesus, who was growing weak from the overwhelming weight of the cross and the scorching heat of the sun. Without fully understanding why he was chosen, Simon helped Jesus to carry the cross.
Reflection Jesus, please help me to be brave like Simon, when he helped Jesus take up his cross. Help me be like Simon as I put others’ needs before my own. Please help me to always be willing to help others in their time of need. Please give me strength to take up my cross each day. Amen.
Erin Siemen & Kristen Unnerstall
VI. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
“If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” John 13:14-15
As Jesus carried his cross up the hill, he grew tired. While she stood in the large crowd, Veronica watched as Jesus walked by carrying his heavy cross along the path. He was tired from the long walk and there was sweat and blood from the crown of thorns dripping in his eyes. Feeling compassion towards him, Veronica ran out of the crowd and wiped Jesus’ face with her veil. As she stepped back away from Jesus, she was amazed to find an imprint of Jesus’ face on her veil.
Reflection Jesus, help us to learn how to reach out to another as Veronica did towards you. When we see someone hurting, give us the strength to lend them a helping hand. Give us the courage to stand out from the crowd to help a friend in need. Jesus, you died for us, so that we may live. Help us to understand that reaching out to one another is a small price to pay compared to what you have done. Thank you, Jesus, for everything you have given us and help us to be like Veronica. Amen.
Lauren Rolwes & Sara Kluba
VII. Jesus Falls For the Second Time
“Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. Then he returned a second time and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him.” Mark 14:39
When Jesus fell again, everyone wept and felt his pain. The weight of the cross is becoming too burdensome. Jesus’ strength comes from his love for us. He knew what he had to do, so he prayed for the stamina to get up again and continue on his journey to save our souls.
Reflection Jesus, please help everyone who may need your help. I know you are always there for me when I fall. You give me strength to get back up and try again. Thank you for always being there to talk to and for just being my friend. Amen.
Katherine Brimager & Chelsea Burkemper VIII. Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem
“A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children.’” Luke 23:28- 29
The three sorrowful women followed Jesus to the crucifixion place called the Skull. They wept for Jesus and the pain he was going through. Jesus stopped them and asked them not to weep for him, but to feel sorrow for themselves and their children. The crowd around was roaring with sorrow and anger. Jesus was being pushed further towards his death while the three women knelt in front of him and wept.
Reflection Jesus, sometimes we stray off your path and lean towards evil. We ask that you give us guidance to choose the right path, your path. The three women wept for you as if you were their own brother. Jesus, please help us to strengthen our faith and love for you, as the three women did. Amen.
Mary Beth Johnson & Michelle Sigmund
IX. Jesus Falls For the Third Time
“ ‘Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.’ And all the disciples spoke likewise.” Matthew 26:34-35
After meeting the women, Jesus continued on his long painful journey. Upon falling the third time, his tormentors beat him and treated him even more savagely. Realizing that it would not stop until he reached his destination, Jesus picked up the cross one last time. From there he proceeded to the place of his crucifixion.
Reflection Jesus, although we cannot even begin to fathom the pain you went through on your journey, we thank you for your sacrifice. You put yourself through much suffering and died on a cross to save us. Help us to have the courage to face our own suffering. Amen.
Jordan Nea & Tony Mueller X. Jesus is Stripped of His Clothes
“And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him.” Matthew 27: 31
As Jesus walks through the tormenting crowd with the overbearing cross, he barely finds enough strength to endure the excruciating journey to the place where he will be crucified. The soldiers stripped him of his garments so roughly that his skin ripped as well.
Reflection Jesus, help us to find the strength to continue our journey as you continued yours. Sometimes we feel as if we are embarrassed or ridiculed. Help us be strong in dignity and in your love. With your help and protection, let us look past our enemies and be filled with your eternal love. Amen.
Natalie Runge & Kaye Schulte
XI. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
“Jesus was mocked, people passing by viled him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross.’” Mark 15: 29-31
Now we are at the Skull and after a long day full of suffering, Jesus has reached his destination. But the worst is still to come. The agonizing pain of the beatings and the weight of the cross is nothing compared to the nails being driven in Jesus’ hands and feet. Jesus hangs on a cross between two criminals.
Reflection Jesus, you went through so much pain and suffering for all of us. Help us all deal with the pain and suffering of our lives. Help us always be strong as you were and stand up for what we believe. Amen.
Matt Roettger & Ryan Natoli
XII. Jesus Dies on the Cross
“At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at 3 o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema satachtani?’ Which is translated, ‘My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?’ Some of the bystanders who heard it said, ‘Look, he is calling Elijah.’ One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see if Elijah come to take him down.’ Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.” Mark 15: 33-37
As Jesus is hanging on the cross, he looks out into the crowd and sees Mary Magdalene, his mother, Mary, and the others who have witnessed his long, excruciating journey. Through his unbearable anguish, he forgives those who have sinned. He takes his last breath and dies, giving the world eternal life.
Reflection Jesus, in times of suffering and sorrow, help us to be strong and bear the pain as you did. Also, allow us to be filled with your eternal love, and help us to forgive those who have hurt us. Jesus, you died the ultimate death, let us follow your ways to meet you in heaven. Amen.
Brendan Lovett & Kelly Kruse
XIII. Jesus is Taken down from the Cross
“When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ And bowing his head, he handed over his spirit.” John 19:30
After Jesus had been forced to carry the cross over a long and winding trail, he endured an agonizing death on the cross. As he was dying, observers scoffed and ridiculed him. He was pierced with a sword to be sure he was dead. Everyone saw that Jesus was dead. Some prayed and mourned over his death. Some friends took his body down off the cross, allowed his mother to hold him one last time and wrapped him in linen.
Reflection As I reflect on this station, Jesus help me to understand why people are harassed and embarrassed. Help me to understand that people are not naturally evil. Help me to accept my own suffering as you did. Make it understood that this was your will and that you made this sacrifice to help all mankind. Thank you for giving your life for me. Amen.
Ben Staab & Dan Lang
XIV. Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
“After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried..” Luke 23:53
Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus, approached Pilate to see if he could have the body of Jesus. Pilate asked the Centurion if Jesus had already died, and he confirmed that he had. The body was given to Joseph. He took the body and bound it to be buried. There was an empty tomb where he laid Jesus’ body before the Sabbath observance began.
Reflection Jesus, help us to strive to make an impact on the world as you did. Let us remember your suffering and the sacrifices you made for us, and try to do the right thing. Help us to make decisions that benefit all people. Help us to do good works that will leave a lasting impact. Teach us to be selfless and loving as you were. Amen.
Tony Teesdale & Amy Kenning
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