The Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem - Reflection

The 7th Station: HERE Jesus falls the second time

The way uphill becomes even more difficult. Jesus is weak. He feels again the weight, the pain, the solitude, the humiliation. He prays silently to the Father and tries to move on. He tries not to think, he tries not to feel, he tries to keep moving to avoid at least more lashes from the soldiers or more mocking cheers from those around him. He tries to avoid the pebbles in the pathway as they hurt his soles.

But in an instant he finds himself again face down on the ground with the cross-beam weighing on the back of his neck.

He tries to get up immediately. He cannot take more lashes, he cannot afford to lose this last part of his battle. Fumbling and trying to shake away the weakness. He almost made it.

The soldier next to him lends him a helping hand. Jesus looks at him and thanks him for this kind gesture. He tries to smile but his jaws hurt and could not even create a facial expression to show the soldier how grateful he was for not receiving yet another blow.

He was repeating the words "let the bones you have crushed rejoice" (Ps. 51,8). The last part of the climb was difficult but he knew he could make it. The soldier patted him on the shoulder to keep moving. And taking a deep breath he moved on.

A Prayer

Dear Jesus, how many times have I wondered why I have to fall and rise again! How many times have I stumbled in my paths and returned to your loving care! And you helped me up without questioning, without prejudice, without hatred! You care for me and this feeling comes to me as I again see you under the weight of the cross. My sins are adding their weight too!

Dear Lord, at this station I am not going to ask for anything but to thank you heartily for the love you have for each and every person. Thank you Jesus!

The Site

The Seventh Station on the Market Road of the Old City of Jerusalem

This is a commemorative station built on tradition and on which we do not have any account in the Gospel. Coming up from the Sixth Station you arrive at the point where Via Dolorosa intersects Khan es-Zeit (the Oil Market). This crossroad was also the meeting point of Hadrian's Cardo Maximus (main road) and a decumanus (transverse street) of the Aelia Capitolina (135 AD).
medium sized image (68KB) - large image (175KB)

Inside the Seventh Station

The Franciscans took possession of this chapel in 1875 and they built over it two superimposed chapels. Within the chapel are the remains of a large column of red stone coming from the remains of the Tetrapylon of Aelia Capitolina.
medium sized image (82KB) - large image (264KB) - detail (large) (241KB)