Lourdes High Station 07

The Lourdes High Station 07 of the Cross, known as "Jesus Falls a Second Time," marks a moment in the journey of Jesus Christ to Golgotha, where He would ultimately be crucified.

This station not only symbolizes the physical sufferings but His willingness to endure immense hardship for the redemption of humanity.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we praise Thee.


R. Because by Thy holy Cross,
thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus falls a second time. A reminder how I will continue to fail because of my weak flesh.

What does the second fall indicate to us. As we read or hear about his journey to Calvary, we can only imagine the physical and emotional agony He experienced.

Jesus being fully God and fully human, despite being divine, he embraced the full extent of human suffering. This fall should signify to us the faithful the gravity of our sins.

Our sins added the weight to the cross that He bore. Still Jesus teaches us perseverance as he rises for the second time despite the overwhelming burdens, He is committed to fulfilling His Father's will.

My most gentle Jesus, how many times hast Thou pardoned me, and how many times have I fallen again. Oh, by the merits of this new fall, help me to persevere in Thy grace until death.
 The Way of the Cross of Saint Alphonsus Liquori


Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

v. Have Mercy upon us O Lord.
r. Have Mercy on us.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Am I discouraged? Every time I step off the path or take my eyes off my Lord. I fall...do I physically fall down on the pavement. Maybe not, but worse I fall spiritually down. Something inside me shatters as if I have dropped a glass and thousands of shards of glass scatter. I admit I of my own self is not capable, I need your help, Lord. I open my heart to you, my Lord. I know with the love and strength you grace upon me I can still move forward.

Even though the Gospels do not provide detailed descriptions of the specific individuals, for the sake of our meditation on the Lourdes High Station 07 let's talk about who witnessed the second fall.

I always like to start with Mary His mother because she is unwavering support as any parent would be to their children. She is witnessing His fall with immeasurable depth of pain and compassion. Her strength and faith serve as an example to us the faithful encouraging us to be strong. Or as I always pray for "keep my feet planted firm like two cement blocks on this earth" so I don't waver.

Simon of Cyrene, who was told by the Roman soldiers to help Jesus carry the cross, also likely witnessed this fall. Simon came in to help on the fifth station and is still with Him throughout. Did Jesus transform Simon's perspective? Was this an act of solidarity? Simon's compassion is a call for believers to bear one another's burdens.

How many of us want to be Veronica in her heroic bravery of stepping forward to wipe the face of Jesus? She did this in the sixth station of the Cross, but her presence throughout the journey to Calvary serves as a reminder of the impact of small acts of kindness. Her actions call for us to offer comfort and mercy to others that are suffering.

I always like bringing in the Crowd, because I stand or sit in meditation as one of them as I ponder this scene. Still, I can hear some still mocking Him others are crying, remember those women of Jerusalem that are weeping for Him. This is a reminder how so many different ways in which humanity can react to the message of the Cross.

This station invites us to reflect on the significance of Jesus and the second fall and how it is relevant to our own spiritual journey.

• It should encourage us to be faithful
• Allow us to acknowledge our own moments of weakness
  
• Seek God for strength in Christ
• Ask for the gift of perseverance to face adversity
• Help serve as a source of inspiration for others with their burdens and struggles

We all must have a deeper awareness of the suffering of others and the importance of compassion. If we have difficultly being Christ like, then try to be like Simon or Veronica.

In conclusion, the 7th Station of the Cross is a powerful reminder of the humanity and divinity of Jesus our Lord. 

By meditating or contemplating this station I hope that it is a true inspiration as it has been and still is for me.

All Stations of the Cross
Pray the Rosary