Seventh Station: Jesus falls a second time
Scripture
“Like water I am drained, my bones pulled apart; like wax my heart melts within; like an empty pot my mouth has run dry, and my tongue is stuck to my palate; you’ve laid me down in dusty death” (Psalm 22:14-15).
Meditation
After the misstep comes the pain. Before
the impact, the staircase steps beneath me—
their sharp edges stabbing muscle and bone—
I feel the ache that pierces right through me,
beyond skin and sinew to pride’s seat
and shatters into shards the illusion
I’ve conjured to hide the reality
that I’m as human, as mortal as you.
Prayer
Jesus, when I stumble and fall, I immediately look around in fear of who has seen me. For if the moment is hidden, I can continue to deny, to the world and myself, that I am just as human as everyone else. But you fell before the crowd, certain that everyone saw you in that moment. In my most human moments, let me dare to look around and hope that all eyes see so that in my stumbling others might remember you were once so mortal. That your Incarnation blessed every misstep. That you will lift us up so we might stand boldly with you. Amen.