† The Ninth Station

IX Jesus Falls the Third Time

By his wounds we have been healed.

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds we have been healed. 1Pt 22-24

The gift of this station is selflessness. A man for others, Jesus teaches us to bear one another’s burdens, to set aside self interest and use our gifts to help the poor, the suffering, and the forgotten. Weary and weak, he summons his remaining strength to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Good stewards must follow His example.

Save us, Savior of the world, for by your cross and resurrection,
You have set us free.