SR. ELENA MARIA MANGANELLI, O.S.A.
VIA CRUCIS
LECCETO 2011

THIRD STATION
Jesus falls the first time

Jesus falls but, meek and humble, he rises

V/. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R/. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

From the Gospel according to Matthew  11:28-30

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”.

* * *

The story of Jesus falling three times along the Way of the Cross is not part of the biblical account; it is a legacy of traditional devotion, carefully preserved and cultivated in the hearts of those who pray.
In his first fall, Jesus turns to us, shows us a path, becomes our teacher.
He invites us to come to him whenever we experience human powerlessness, and to discover there the closeness of God’s power.
He shows us the path leading to the fount of true refreshment, of the grace which is sufficient.
He teaches us the lesson of a meekness which quells rebellion and a trust which supplants arrogance.
As our teacher, the fallen Jesus gives us, most of all, the great lesson of humility, “the path that brought him to the resurrection”.[1] The path that, after every fall, gives us the strength to say: “Now I will begin again, O Lord, with you and not alone!”

Jesus most humble,
our own falls, born of our shortcomings and sins,
bruise the pride of our hearts,
close them to the grace of humility
and halt our journey on the path that leads to you.

Come, Spirit of Truth,
free us from every pretence of self-sufficiency
and grant that we may recognize in every fall
a step upon the stairway that rises to you!

All:

Pater noster, qui es in caelis:
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a malo.

O quam tristis et afflicta
fuit illa benedicta
Mater Unigeniti.

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