We Adore you, Oh Christ, and we praise you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation offered by Father Michael Della Penna, OFM
 

“He came to his own people and even they did not accept him.” John 1:11

            Jesus, the innocent one is betrayed, unjustly rejected, and falsely condemned by the guilty who sentence him to be crucified as a criminal. The one true judge is misjudged; He who came to set us free and give us life in abundance is bound and sentenced to suffer and die.

                Do not be surprised that you sometimes suffer being misunderstood or wrongly accused by some people around you, perhaps even those you are closest to, as Judas was to Jesus. 

Were some of the same people who were shouting out “crucify him” not the very same ones who greeted Jesus with Hosannas upon entering Jerusalem?

                The cross of prejudice and of being unfairly judged is a common cross handed to many immigrants.  Our Italian grandfathers and grandmothers who came to the North End in the 19th and 20th century embraced and carried this cross in silence like Jesus. 

                This first station teaches us interior freedom by inviting us to lean in on our faith, trusting that God knows the truth of who we are.  Embracing this cross means holding onto the truth of our inherent dignity as sons and daughters of God, created in His image and likeness and lift us up above the fickle judgement of people around us.  Instead of being defined by the changing opinions of others and trying to defend our reputations, we can instead choose to move forward in silence and ground our identity in what God knows about us, trusting in Him alone. 

Journal Question:

Have you ever been judged, condemned, or ridiculed by another? Have you judged or ridiculed another? Reflect on this and how it made you feel or how others might have felt.





About the artist: Adam Moniz is a Catholic Illustrator and Fine Artist who draws his creative inspiration from the beauty of our Lord. He is pursuing a master’s degree in sacred art at Pontifex University. Follow him at: www.atmonizarts.com or on Instagram @atm_adamtmoniz