A Passionate Walk with Jesus (Cont.)
3.
Jesus Falls the First Time
–
Linda Rispone spoke of her late
husband, Bill Lemoine, and his journey with cancer. Although Linda
shared how Bill did not routinely attend mass with her and their
children, she told us how he loved the Lord and spoke with his children
often about the importance of loving the Lord and making Him a part
of their life. She loved her husband dearly. Linda understood what
falling under the weight of the cross meant to Our Lord. After Bill’s
death, Linda accepted her life as a widow but had no idea that the
Lord had other plans for her future. Our Lord sent Linda another life
partner, one who shared her faith and her love for the Lord. One who
not only accepted her family as his own, but shared his family as well.
Both Linda and her husband Eddie lost their spouses to cancer and
know the importance of not taking each other for granted and living
every day to the fullest.
4.
Jesus Meets His Mother
–
Jake Alford, after losing his mother
Marsha at the young age of 42 to cancer, still struggles with his
understanding of why his mother? Why his mother, when she lived
her life leading others to the Lord. After reflecting on this station and
what it meant when our Lord saw His mother as He continued His
walk to Calvary, Jake was reminded that if he were able to look into his
mother’s eyes, he would see her support and love for him just as Mary
had for Jesus. Marsha would want him to remember what he was
taught and to look at her life as a life of example. During her journey
with her cross of cancer, Marsha began to see her purpose on this life
and it was to bring others to Our Lord. Jake knows that by living his
mother’s example, he will also become an example of Christ’s love to
others.
5.
Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
–
Paul Dykes
relayed his struggle of helping others carry their cross. In his past,
he feels that he sometimes neglected to see others in need. When he
was asked to help someone, he would help them without hesitancy;
however, he did not always recognize people in need. He went through
struggles in his life that has now opened his eyes and his heart to others.
He lives each day looking for ways to be Christ-like to everyone he
meets. He also wants others to see by his example, how important it is
to help others carry their cross. He prayers that the Lord will continue
to show him how to be an example to others and to always look for the
needy and be their answer for help.
6.
VeronicaWipes the Face of Jesus
–
RitaWallace spoke of Veronica’s
fierce strength, her strength to walk along with Jesus and offer to wipe
His face while others were screaming and mocking Him. Although
many may have been tempted to help Jesus, they didn’t for fear of
retribution from the crowd. Not Veronica, she stood steadfast in her
conviction to help Jesus and to let Him know that she was there for
Him. Rita asked the Lord to guide her in being Veronica to others.
She prayed that she may always have the ability to stand up for the
Lord and for His teachings. She also prayed that He would stamp His
face upon her heart as a constant reminder of His love for us all.
7.
Jesus Falls the Second Time
–
Kelli Beckman, courageously and
honestly remembered her actions when she was diagnosed with cancer
for a second time. Having fought breast cancer and won, Kelli felt
that she had just experienced a “bump in the road” in life’s journey.
Little did she know or expect, that she would hear those words again,
“
you have cancer.” This time, she was consumed with how to tell her
small children that they would again be watching her struggle for her
life. She wanted to take her husband, her family and run – run as far
away as she could. After meeting with her doctors she began radiation.
She was told that she would lose all of her hair permanently on the
right side of her head. She was devastated because as she shared, even
though one should not be thinking about their outward appearance,
she couldn’t help but think of her husband and what he must endure
as well. On the day she was given this news by her doctor, Kelli visited
with Sister Dulce. Before their session really started Sister told Kelli,
“
he’s not going anywhere.” Kelli was surprised and ask what she meant
by that and Sister told her “your husband, he’s not going anywhere.”
It was at that point that Kelli was reassured that the Lord did hear her
and He did listen to her plea and her prayers. Kelli now knew how she
must carry her cross. She accepts the “gift” of her cross and shares her
faith and her story every chance she gets.
8.
Jesus Meets theWomen of Jerusalem
–
Dene’ Mathies, a volunteer
with a support suicide group spoke of the correlation of her ministry
and the ministry of the Women of Jerusalem. As a Prayer Partner
at the Cypress Springs Mercedarian Prayer Center, Dene listens and
offers comfort to many who visit; however, she also volunteers giving
support to families of suicide victims. In this latter role, she compares
the Women of Jerusalem and how they bounded together to offer Our
Lord comfort on His road to Calvary. They showed their love and belief
in Him, as the Savior while others did not. Not only did the others not
believe, they ridiculed and offered nothing but cursing and disdain for
Our Lord. Dene shared that when she visits with the families of the
suicide victims, she too tries to bring comfort in a time of hardship.
She shares the love of our Lord and gently reminds the family of the
salvation and love of Our Lord.
9.
Jesus Falls the Third Time
–
Linda Blanchard, a gastric bypass
patient, told everyone about her journey after deciding on gastric bypass
surgery. She relayed how three times she fell, three times she fought for
her life and three times she experienced life saving surgeries. As she fell,
she admitted that it was easy to lose faith, but, as soon as she felt herself
giving into the temptation of giving up, she was reminded of how much
God loved her. A visit with Sister Dulce confirmed how important she
was to the Lord. Sister told her that Papa was not ready for her; she
still had things to do in this life. Today, after having the gastric bypass
reversed, she is doing well. She is healing both physically and spiritually.
She tries to remember to thank the Lord every day for her life and she
asks that she recognize what the Lord wants from her now.
10.
Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
-
Jordan Frantz suffered from
addiction at a very young age, an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Even
though Jordan knew his addictions were wrong and that they were
taking him further and further from the love of the Lord that he knew
as a child, he didn’t stop. He was confused with the fact that he could
still feel like he loved the Lord but continued giving in to his addictions.
After several attempts at AA and through counseling, Jason finally began
to beat his addictions. He has learned that he has to “strip” himself of
those things that keep him from the Lord before he can begin to fully
accept the gifts the Lord has for him – namely His mercy and love.
Jason says that he still tempted at times, but, with Christ at the center
of his being, he has many, many more successes than failures.
11.
Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
–
the people in attendance heard the
nails being driven into the cross which beared Our Lord.
12.
Jesus Dies on the Cross
–
a reflective song, was sung a cappella by
David Aguillard.
