Virtual Art Exhibition: The Stations of the Cross
Christopher Armstrong, Priest-in-Charge introduces the exhibition:
Soon after the Resurrection of Christ, significant places in Jerusalem took on special value for the faithful. When Christianity became legal, pilgrims used to gather to follow ‘The Way of the Cross’, especially in Holy Week. Those who couldn’t afford the journey – or who were prohibited by war or political division – would erect these ‘stations’ in their own churches where they would be used for meditation throughout the year.
None of our churches in the Benefice have these stations so an idea emerged to create them in Barrowden Church this year. The local art groups were approached and jumped at the challenge. However, with the onslaught of the Coronavirus pandemic – rather than lose all this precious work – we will now offer this meditation to you virtually for your delight, admiration and of course, your prayer.
I am so grateful to the artists who have exhibited their work and their willingness to explain their approach. I hope that next year this art will find its way into our churches for a more intense scrutiny and wonder. CA
- SELECTED STATIONS OF THE CROSS HAVE BEEN INTERPRETED.
- Each of the artworks is captioned with the artist’s name. Click on an individual artwork to see it at full size.
- Each Station of the Cross is introduced by our Reader Ann Robinson, who has also written a meditation and prayer for each one.
1st STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED
The chief priests and the whole Council tried to find some evidence against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they could not find any. The High Priest stood up in front of them all and questioned Jesus, “Have you no answer to the accusation they bring against you?” But Jesus kept quiet and would not say a word. Again the High Priest questioned him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed God?” “I am,” answered Jesus, “and you will all see the Son of Man seated at the right side of the Almighty and coming with the clouds of heaven!” The High Priest tore his robes and said, “We don’t need any more witnesses! Mark ch 14 v55, 60-63
Meditation
Envy and jealousy can be like cancerous diseases within us. They spread throughout our whole being, often unnoticed, leading to uncharitable conversations, false accusations, and other destructive actions. We see all of this played out among the religious leaders of Jesus’ time as they condemn Christ without basis. He remained quiet but convinced Pilate that he had done no wrong. He is the Son of God now as then and needs our failings to turn to compassion.
Prayer
Father, we cry out to you. May we be led away from hypocrisy and greed and hatred showing only love and compassion and truth to all around us.
Father, we cry out to you
3rd STATION: JESUS FALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME
In great anguish he prayed even more fervently; his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke ch 22 v 44
Meditation
There is much anguish in our world, especially now with people unable to console each other physically. Christ must have felt so alone but even in his darkest times he was able to pray to his Father. We, too, in our deepest despair can pray to our Father and know that he hears us and cares.
Prayer
Father, we cry out to you as your Son did. Help us to accept your reassurance and in our darkest times turn to you.
Father, we cry out to you
5th STATION: SIMON OF CYRENE
They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. Mark 15:21
Meditation
Those in charge of Jesus’ crucifixion compelled Simon of Cyrene to help carry the Lord’s cross. He did not volunteer or willingly accept the task, but that is no surprise. Simon was only passing by and presumably knew little about Christ. We, on the other hand, do know Jesus. And we have heard his words about the necessity of taking up our own crosses each day and walking in his footsteps. What is our response? Must we be pressed to carry our crosses, be they big or small, or do we accept them willingly
Prayer
Father, we cry out to you. Help us to take up our cross whatever it entails and however heavy it might be as we remember the cross you bore for us.
Father, we cry out to you
8th STATION: JESUS MEETS 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 23:27-28
Meditation
Compassion means to suffer with someone. Empathy means to feel with them. These women displayed both qualities as they accompanied Jesus, so bruised and disfigured, on this sorrowful journey through the streets of Jerusalem. We imitate their example when we listen with love to another’s troubles, hold another’s hand by a hospital bed, or embrace another who is grieving. Christ said that what we do for others we do for him.
Prayer
Father, we cry out to you. Help us to follow the example of those who care so deeply for others perhaps to endangering themselves. Give us compassion and empathy for those who suffer.
Father, we cry out to you.
10th STATION: JESUS IS STRIPPED
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. Matthew ch 27 v 27-31
Meditation
Pilate had Jesus scourged – a truly cruel punishment. He was probably stripped to the waist and made to bend over a short pillar. Then he was lashed several dozen times with a whip, the first few of these strokes cutting open the skin of his back. After the scourging a wooden band, or crown, of long sharp thorns was pressed into his scalp. The pain had to be excruciating. This suffering was for us. In all our pain Christ is there to heal and to hold.
Prayer
Father, we cry out to you. You suffered so cruelly at the hands of men and yet we continue to hurt you through our actions. Help us to see your wounds and not inflict them further.
Father, we cry out to you
12th STATION: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS
At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachtani?’ which is translated, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ Some of the bystanders who heard it said, ‘Look, he is calling Elijah.’ One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.’ Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. Mark 15:33-37
Meditation
Jesus, as a faithful Jew, would have prayed the Psalms regularly. It is no surprise, then, that these words from Psalm 22 are on his lips during the intense agony of his last moments. While this cry might seem to be a sign of despair or hopelessness, it reveals, rather, the depth of his anguish and the intensity of his pain. Shortly afterward, he surrenders totally to his Father’s will – ‘Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit.’ We might wish to follow Christ’s example, letting these words be the last on our lips as we wait each night for sleep to come, sleep which is a symbol of our own eventual death.
Prayer
Father, we cry out to you. In your final breath, Lord, you gave yourself to your Father. May we follow your example and give ourselves to those around us but especially to our Father who loves us so much that he gave his Son for us.
Father, we cry out to you.