Good Friday 2014, Flax Bourton Parish Church
The Stations of the Cross follow the practice of the Early Church annually to experience the events of Holy Week in the places in Jerusalem where they originally took place. During the Crusades, when pilgrims could not access the Holy City, Franciscan monks created the traditional fourteen Stations of the Cross in local churches as a means to allow everyone to walk with Jesus on his final journey. Today artists and communities re-vision the traditional stations to bring home the visceral and transformative nature of that journey for a new generation.
In 2014 four members of the worshipping community of Barrow Gurney and Flax Bourton created twelve stations (the maximum the building would contain) which included a reading from the Bible, a meditation and an action. The church was left open for the morning of Good Friday and people came and went in their own time.
I
n the centre of the room was a tree surrounded by chairs. The tree was young, forked and in fresh green leaf. There were blossoms and an apple nestling in its fork. There was new life here – life breaking forth despite the odour of death that hangs over this journey. There was the apple, held up, a sign of the Fall, the falling out between humanity and God, the great rend in the relationship that Christ through the Cross came to bridge and heal.
1. Jesus condemned to death
Reading: Matthew 27:20-26
Meanwhile, the high priests and religious leaders had talked the crowd into asking for the pardon of Barabbas and the execution of Jesus. The governor asked, “Which of the two do you want me to pardon?” They said, “Barabbas!” “Then what do I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?” They all shouted, “Nail him to a cross!” He objected, “But for what crime?” But they yelled all the louder, “Nail him to a cross!” When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere and that a riot was imminent, he took a basin of water and washed his hands in full sight of the crowd, saying, “I’m washing my hands of responsibility for this man’s death. From now on, it’s in your hands. You’re judge and jury.” The crowd answered, “We’ll take the blame, we and our children after us.” Then he pardoned Barabbas. But he had Jesus whipped, and then handed over for crucifixion.
Most things in life can be used for good or bad and hands are no exception.
Hands can create and destroy, build walls and knock them down, wound and heal.
As you wash your hands here, you may like to pray:
For the times I have washed my hands of my responsibilities,
Lord, have mercy.
For the times I fail to have the courage to do what I know is right,
Christ, have mercy.
For the times I blame others for my actions,
Lord, have mercy.
2. Jesus takes up his cross
Reading: Matthew 27: 27-31
The soldiers assigned to the governor took Jesus into the governor’s palace and got the entire brigade together for some fun. They stripped him and dressed him in a red toga. They plaited a crown from branches of a thornbush and set it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand for a sceptre. Then they knelt before him in mocking reverence: “Bravo, King of the Jews!” they said. “Bravo!” Then they spit on him and hit him on the head with the stick. When they had had their fun, they took off the toga and put his own clothes back on him. Then they proceeded out to the crucifixion.
Take one of the Holding Crosses and feel its smoothness in your hand.
How comfortably its sits there, how light and easy to hold.
Now look at the rough-hewn wood propped here.
Consider its weight, how it feels against your skin as you lift it up, how it dragss you down.
Are we willing to carry a burden, no matter the discomfort, for a neighbor during their time of need? We are called to be Jesus to all, doing as He did in all things. While some burdens are great, often our neighbors simply need someone who will give of themselves in the smallest of ways.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
God, help me to be like Jesus, never afraid to help another. Amen.
3. Jesus meets his mother
Luke 1:30-33
“Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.
He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.’ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob’s house forever—no end, ever, to his kingdom.”
Look through the Baby Book, reminding yourself of some of the text, but try to see it as a real record of a young family. What would you have in Baby Books for your family?
Let yourself see Jesus as his Mum did; at first surprised, then excited, frightened, supported, delighted, proud, astounded, puzzled, but always “Mum”.
Now bury your face in the scarf; breathe in the scent of this man as if it was the most familiar scent in the world, rich with the smells of workshop, souk and desert.
Whether you are male or female, as Mary, try to connect to this man as a parent; fearful, confused, frightened, numb.
As Jesus, what does seeing this woman do to you?
In this moment;
What could they say to each other?
As Jesus, do you think that your mother understands that this is your destiny; has she always understood that?
Even if the answer is “yes”, how do they now let go?
In our own relationships with those whom we love,
do we have difficulty letting go?
Does Mary have to forgive Jesus for the human hurt that he brings?
4. Simon helps Jesus carry the cross
Mark 15:21
There was a man walking by, coming from work, Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. They made him carry Jesus’ cross.
Truth on earth is not, nor can it aspire to be, the whole truth…
God is greater than religion…
Can I recognise God’s image in someone who is not in my image,
whose language, faith, ideals are different from mine?
If I cannot, then I have made God in my image
instead of allowing him to remake me in his. Jonathan Sacks The Dignity of Difference
Why was Simon chosen to carry the cross with Jesus? Some say the colour of his skin made him stand out from the crowd. Simon was chosen because he was different.
But what if the soldiers picked on him because he was lame, or on crutches, or blind? What if they chose him because he couldn’t hold the cross, hadn’t got the strength to take the weight? Perhaps he was the one they grabbed simply because he couldn’t do the job – would make it harder for Jesus. Perhaps he was chosen to humiliate him and Jesus. Jesus was different, Simon was different – difference was a threat, a challenge to the system and it had to be neutralised.
Sit in the wheelchair.
What might it feel like to permanently see the world from this angle and position?
Has anything changed about the way you see the church?
How might people perceive you differently?
How might you perceive yourself differently?
How might others treat you differently?
How might you behave differently?
Take a moment to give thanks to God for someone who gives you a fresh way of seeing the world.
Take a moment to say sorry to God for the times you have hurt or dismissed someone because their nationality, appearance, abilities or views are different from yours.
Take a moment to pray for tolerance and compassion for all who are mistreated because of their gender, nationality, sexuality, health, appearance or capabilities.
Now stand up.
5. Veronica wipes Jesus’ face
Matthew 25:35-36
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me . . .”
As Christ faltered under the weight of the cross, it is said that Veronica came out of the crowd lining the Via Dolorosa and wiped his brow. The image of Christ’s face was left on the cloth and over time became a sacred relic.
‘St Veronica’s Academy’ – a kind of school commemorative tea-towel – a cheap domestic item (popular in nativity plays), shows the faces of forty-two brave and compassionate women, symbolising how kindness can be small and simple as well as large scale.
Take some time to ponder . . . the impact of small acts of bravery (defiance even); how hands can be stretched out to the other in acts of soothing, comforting, healing and reconciliation. If you want to please draw a woman who’s compassion and kindness has stood out for you.
6. Jesus falls
Isaiah 53:5-6
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him.
We all fall during times in our lives. The fall could be due to sin, mistakes made, or the unbearable pain we must often confront from outside forces. Regardless of cause, all God desires is that we stand again and continue on our journey. He does not rejoice over our fall but rather reaches out to grab us, as all good shepherds do.
Were you there when a friend, neighbour or enemy stumbled in life?
Did you gaze on with ridicule or lend a hand of love?
Down! Down! Down! Down! Down!
What they had wanted
was degradation and desperation.
So when the Lord fell, did not the slaves cheer?
Did not their cheering seem to raise them up in their own blind eyes?
And when others fall, are we not up-raised?
Do we not gladly cheer at their descent?
Down! Down! Down! Down! Down!
But Jesus stood His ground,
regained his feet, and lifted his burden
and walked from those who cheered…
God,
Forgive me for the times I ignored another’s pain or even added to it by speaking against them instead of loving them.
I often make mistakes and stumble from fear or lack of trust. Help me to always get up again and continue in a life journey of love. Amen.
7. Women of Jerusalem
Luke 23:27, 28
A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children.
What a strange translation! We use “carrying on” in this context to indicate “making an unnecessary fuss”; were these professional mourners perhaps, come to wail for Jesus even before he’s been killed? Is he telling them “Save your tears for someone who will need them (the City of Jerusalem was to be sacked, and the Temple destroyed by the Romans forty years later……)?
The faces of women are some of the most vivid images of bereavement, disaster and conflict.
In some sense, the “women of Jerusalem” are constantly with us.
In these images are women from Kiev, from Iran, from Argentina, from Kashmir, from Israel, from Palestine, from England.
You might like to take an opportunity to pray for these latter day “women of Jerusalem”.
If you find it hard to pray for people you don’t know, perhaps simply touching the image will enable you to pray,; God will know who they are, what their present need is or, if they are now dead, what the need of the situation still is.
Use your own words, or perhaps,
Lord God, I pray for this daughter of yours, known to you. I ask that you be very close to her today, or to those who love or loved her. Let her and them know of your loving presence, for I ask this in the name of your Son who commanded us to pray for others. Amen.
8. Jesus is stripped
John 19:23-24
When they crucified him, the Roman soldiers took his clothes and divided them up four ways, to each soldier a fourth. But his robe was seamless, a single piece of weaving, so they said to each other, “Let’s not tear it up. Let’s throw dice to see who gets it.” This confirmed the Scripture that said, “They divided up my clothes among them and threw dice for my coat.”
In this stark word ‘sin’ our Lord brought to my mind all things in general that are not good –
and the shame, the despising, the utter stripping he accepted for us in this life – and his dying.
He also brought to mind all the bodily spiritual pains and passions of his fellow creatures…
For we are all stripped in part – and shall be – while we follow our master Jesus, until we are made pure… And at this time our Lord showed me a part of his homely loving. I saw that he is everything that is good and comforting to us. He is our clothing. In his love he wraps and holds us. He enfolds us in love and he will never let us go. Julian of Norwich
To be stripped naked, to be laid bare in front of the crowd, in front of strangers, friends and family, is a terrible humiliation, all respect is gone, all your faults and blemishes are exposed.
Slowly unwind the cloths from the body of the cross. As you strip it bare remember all the times you have felt humiliated, exposed to the prying eyes of others, exposed to the perceptive eyes of others, who see through the many layers of your disguises.
Remember the times you have humiliated others, exposed their faults to ridicule, diminished them, left them uncomfortable, hurt and afraid. Ask God, who sees all that you are, all that you have been and all that you can be, to forgive you.
The naked cross stands like a body with its arms outstretched. Being stripped can be a degradation. Stripping bare can be a liberation. Stripping off the layers down to the essential you is the essence of God’s love.
Now carefully reclothe the cross. As you cover up its nakedness you might like to pray
one of the traditional prayers said by the priest on putting on the vestments – they are on the framed panel of calligraphy. Think of how you want God to clothe you – where do you need his love and support in your life?
9. Jesus is nailed to the cross
Luke 23:33-34
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing”.
First They Came
First they cam
e for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.
Pastor Martin Niemoller
Please take a candle.
Each one bears the name of a prisoner of conscience.
Let us pray for them and for the thousands of people incarcerated and tortured for standing up to be counted, speaking out for the oppressed, rallying against bullying political regimes.
Please feel free to take your candle away and discover more about the named prisoner.
10. Jesus dies on the cross
Luke 23:44-46
By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours—a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. Jesus called loudly, “Father, I place my life in your hands!” Then he breathed his last.
REFLECTION
Look at the stained glass window set into the chancel wall above you
What are these people thinking as they gaze at Jesus body?
Their son, their friend, the one they love so much….
What do you see?
What does the world see?
The dark nails pierce him and the sky turns black
We watch him as he labours to draw breath
He takes our breath away to give it back,
Return it to it’s birth through his slow death.
We hear him struggle breathing through the pain
Who once breathed out his spirit on the deep,
Who formed us when he mixed the dust with rain
And drew us into consciousness from sleep.
His spirit and his life he breathes in all
Mantles his world in his one atmosphere
And now he comes to breathe beneath the pall
Of our pollutions, draw our injured air
To cleanse it and renew. His final breath
Breathes us, and bears us through the gates of death.
11. Jesus is removed from the cross
Mark 15:42-45
Late in the afternoon, since it was the Day of Preparation (that is, Sabbath eve), Joseph of Arimathea, a highly respected member of the Jewish Council, came. He was one who lived expectantly, on the lookout for the kingdom of God. Working up his courage, he went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate questioned whether he could be dead that soon and called for the captain to verify that he was really dead. Assured by the captain, he gave Joseph the corpse.
I think that this is meeting with Pilate marks a really significant point in Joseph’s journey of faith. A successful merchant, not one to upset the rulers of the state, he allies himself with an executed criminal and presents himself at the very foot of imperial power, presumably pulling in all the favours he can in order to be heard. Joseph is then doubted publicly by Pilate and belittled. Eventually Pilate hands over this body, this corpse like a piece of soiled meat.
What I suggest you might do:
Put on the mask, pick up the scrap book. Staring at the first three images, one at a time, and seeing your masked face in the mirror, try to imagine yourself:
Working up your courage to approach Pilate;
Hearing Pilate call for the captain as he doubts your truthfulness;
Waiting for the captain’s answer;
Hurrying away to claim Jesus’ body.
What do you do if or when you feel belittled? Does hiding behind the mask protect you from raw emotions? What would it feel like to face the mirror without the mask?
12. Jesus is buried
John 19:40-42
They took Jesus’ body and, following the Jewish burial custom, wrapped it in linen with the spices. There was a garden near the place he was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed. So, because it was Sabbath preparation for the Jews and the tomb was convenient, they placed Jesus in it.
Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.
In the grave they laid him, Love whom men had slain,
Thinking that never would he wake again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.
Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain,
Quick from the dead, my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.
When our hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain,
Thy touch can call us back to life again,
Fields of our hearts, that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.
The font and the tomb are one and the same. In the font we die to sin and rise again to new life, cleansed, refreshed, made whole.
In the tomb Jesus breaks through the barrier of death, rising renewed, with a fresh energy and a new vision.
The font and the tomb are both hewn out of cool stone. They are both rock solid containers
and porous boundaries, places where the Spirit of God flows through all barriers, breathing, inspiring, animating, enervating, stirring up.
In Britain we bury the dead rather than entomb them. Plunge your hands into the soil. What might it be like to be buried there? It is dark, damp, cool. It is a blank space. Now take a seed.
Plant it in the soil. A sunflower seed – both food and beauty and a sign of the Son who will come again. Hold before God anything in your life which you would like to be buried and put to rest. Hold before God anything in your life which you would like to grow afresh.
Remember that both the tomb and the font remind us that death is not the end but a transition,
a boundary to be passed through on an eternal journey.
This route you have travelled today is a story that has no ending.
Holy Week – Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday – is the most intense period of the Church year. In many churches there will be services every day as the story of Jesus reaches its climax, leading from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday through to Jesus in the Temple, the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday then the horror of state sponsored murder on Good Friday; the empty waiting time of Holy Saturday and the transformation of death that came with Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday.
