2001 LENTEN MEDITATIONS

Grieshaber's Polish Stations of the Cross

Week 2: Stations of the Cross #4-6

This week we invite you to meditate on stations IV, V and VI. Christ's Passion - as represented in the Way of the Cross.

*Fourth Station: Encounter with the Mother*	Roots The encounter with his mother, not recorded in the Bible, seems first commemorated in 1296 (Riccoldo). Mary knew that her child would be a "sign that is rejected" and that her heart would be pierced by a sword: And a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. Luke 2:35 Representation The mother seems to hasten against a wall of ice and steel. The green and angular forms of the cross-bearer may also speak of hardened resolve and hope. There is no opposition between mother and son, between brown and green. Tenuous as it may appear, the complementarity between resolve and compassion is present and bitterly needed. See the flowers of love blossoming on the robe of the third figure, a woman with helping hands. Redemption is a labor of love, it says. Identification We are actors in the drama of human history. The roles are varied but they are begging each other’s genius. For me, will it be the greening of my shared hope, or the meek and subdued colors of compassion? Both of them must have roots anchored in love.

Fourth Station: Encounter with the Mother

Roots

The encounter with his mother, not recorded in the Bible, seems first commemorated in 1296 (Riccoldo). Mary knew that her child would be a "sign that is rejected" and that her heart would be pierced by a sword: And a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. Luke 2:35

Representation

The mother seems to hasten against a wall of ice and steel. The green and angular forms of the cross-bearer may also speak of hardened resolve and hope. There is no opposition between mother and son, between brown and green. Tenuous as it may appear, the complementarity between resolve and compassion is present and bitterly needed. See the flowers of love blossoming on the robe of the third figure, a woman with helping hands. Redemption is a labor of love, it says.

Identification

We are actors in the drama of human history. The roles are varied but they are begging each other’s genius. For me, will it be the greening of my shared hope, or the meek and subdued colors of compassion? Both of them must have roots anchored in love.

*Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene*	Roots But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. Luke 22:26 Representation Selflessness and service have the colors of life. They strengthen the soul and give the person new stature – as seen in the figure of Simon of Cyrene. Placed between brutal force and pitiful exhaustion, he stands upright and firm. Again, there are little flowers of love giving an inkling of the deeper motives for his action. Identification To be commissioned for something limits our freedom, but gives a sense of belonging and solidarity. It is a source of growth, that of others and my own. Commissioned, we need to walk a fine line between brutal force and pitiful weakness.

Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene

Roots

But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. Luke 22:26

Representation

Selflessness and service have the colors of life. They strengthen the soul and give the person new stature – as seen in the figure of Simon of Cyrene. Placed between brutal force and pitiful exhaustion, he stands upright and firm. Again, there are little flowers of love giving an inkling of the deeper motives for his action.

Identification

To be commissioned for something limits our freedom, but gives a sense of belonging and solidarity. It is a source of growth, that of others and my own. Commissioned, we need to walk a fine line between brutal force and pitiful weakness.

*Sixth Station: Veronica*	Roots The scene with Veronica is not of biblical origin, but there is a long tradition based on Scripture asking God to show us his face: Thou hast said, "Seek ye my face." My heart says to thee, "Thy face, Lord, do I seek." Psalm 27:8 Representation The weeping Veronica is holding an oversized linen, wide enough to cover the dolors of creation. But no face is visible, neither that of the Ecce Homo nor the flayed face of humanity. Instead, the shroud bears the marks of a giant crown of thorns. Whose crown is this? Identification Is this shroud an urgent invitation to take up my crown of thorns? Is it a veiled accusation about suffering caused to my neighbor? The little figure in the margin, hiding its face and wearing a dunce cap or magic hood, is like my silly alter ego contemplating flight.

Sixth Station: Veronica

Roots

The scene with Veronica is not of biblical origin, but there is a long tradition based on Scripture asking God to show us his face: Thou hast said, "Seek ye my face." My heart says to thee, "Thy face, Lord, do I seek." Psalm 27:8

Representation

The weeping Veronica is holding an oversized linen, wide enough to cover the dolors of creation. But no face is visible, neither that of the Ecce Homo nor the flayed face of humanity. Instead, the shroud bears the marks of a giant crown of thorns. Whose crown is this?

Identification

Is this shroud an urgent invitation to take up my crown of thorns? Is it a veiled accusation about suffering caused to my neighbor? The little figure in the margin, hiding its face and wearing a dunce cap or magic hood, is like my silly alter ego contemplating flight.

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