Ninth Station: Jesus falls a third time
A Reading from Psalm 56
Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me;
all day long foes oppress me;
my enemies trample on me all day long,
for many fight against me.
O Most High, when I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I am not afraid;
what can flesh do to me?
Silent Reflection
The Way of Self-Denial from St. John of the Cross
That you may have pleasure in everything – Seek your own pleasure in nothing.
That you may know everything – Seek to know nothing.
That you may possess all things – Seek to possess nothing.
That you may be everything – Seek to be nothing.
In detachment the spirit finds peace and rest because it covets nothing.
Nothing wearies by its own elation, nothing oppresses it by dejection.
It stands in the center of its own humanity.
Desire to be empty and poor for Christ’s sake.
This state must be embraced with a perfect heart.
If your heart is truly engaged in these efforts you shall speedily attain to great joy and consolation.
Be continually careful and earnest in imitating Christ in everything, making your life conform to his.
Holy God, Holy and mighty, Holy immortal one, have mercy upon us.