Third Station – Jesus Falls the First Time

Isaiah 53:1-3

I have just fallen flat on my face.  I tried to avoid it.  I wanted to stay on my feet all the way to Calvary.  I wonder if I fell partly because I was trying too hard to keep from falling…

You can learn something from my fall.  You also will fall if you try too hard to succeed all by yourself.  I was so wrapped up in my efforts that I forgot to let my Father guide me.  I forgot for an instant to let my Father work through me, to let him guide my next step.

You are often tempted to take on more than you can do well.  Or to take on goals that, however worthy in theory, may not be right for you or may be undertaken for inferior reasons.  Isn’t this how it often happens in life?  …you decide what you want and then you say to yourself: I am going to achieve this goal, and when I succeed, even God will have to be impressed!

You do not need successes to get my Father’s attention.  When you succeed, it is because of his grace anyway.  So what you would be holding up as yours is really his already.  My Father wants you, not your successes.

In all you undertake, go first to him in prayer and ask what he wants.  Try to learn my Father’s will for you.  Then, when you go to work, open your heart to him and let him work in and through you.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be...