Bee Stings

***For the next two weeks, I will be steering my Lenten Blog Challenge into the direction of The Way of the Cross, also known as The Stations of the Cross, Via Crucis, and Via Dolorosa. These names are used to signify either a series of pictures or tableaux representing certain scenes in the Passion of Christ, each corresponding to a particular incident, or the special form of devotion connected with such representations. I will be posting a Station each day, then reflecting on that Station. To read more about the Way of the Cross, click HERE. Pope Francis' first sermon in the Sistine Chapel tells us the importance on meditating the Way of the Cross:

"When we walk without the Cross, when we build without the Cross, and when we profess Christ without the Cross, we are not disciples of the Lord. We are worldly, we are bishops, priests, cardinals, Popes, but not disciples of the Lord.
I would like that all of us, after these days of grace, might have the courage – the courage – to walk in the presence of the Lord, with the Cross of the Lord: to build the Church on the Blood of the Lord, which is shed on the Cross, and to profess the one glory, Christ Crucified. In this way, the Church will go forward.
My hope for all of us is that the Holy Spirit, that the prayer of Our Lady, our Mother, might grant us this grace: to walk, to build, to profess Jesus Christ Crucified. So be it."

STATION I: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DIE

Though the Lord stands innocent, they find Him guilty. Jesus Christ, the only one with the true power to condemn humanity has now been condemned by it. Standing bloodied and broken, the Lord refuses to defend Himself. He speaks only when necessary, offering truth to any hearts open to receiving it. Pilate, confused by the man in his presence, gives in to the mob who demands Jesus be crucified. The true criminal is released as the Lord and giver of Life is sentenced to die. The decision has been made and the road to Calvary awaits Jesus.

REFLECTION:

Anytime you share your convictions and the word of God with family, facebook, the blogging world, co-workers, and friends, you take the chance of being "convicted." Following Christ isn't always the easy road, and sometimes  people criticize us for following him, be it a facebook post about praying at the abortion clinic, the Christian music blasting in our car, or that mantilla we don at mass. When those around us are too comfortable to follow Christ, they try to make us feel uncomfortable-- they try to break us. Eventually, because we do not fit into their lifestyle, they slowly (or quickly) fade away. Those bee stings of pain we feel from losing a friend or family member can come through gossip, mockery, or even betrayal. One thing we should remember as Christians, is that sometimes we are singled out and lonely, just as Jesus was when he stood before Pilate. It is in those times, however, we see who our real friends are. It is in those times that we lose the ones we thought were our friends, but gain an ultimate companion.