First Station – Pilate Condemns Jesus to Die

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

All: Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

From the Gospel according to Luke

A third time Pilate said to the crowd, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him. But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and handed Jesus over as they wished (Lk 23: 22-25).

Reflection

Jesus was born to die, and now begins those steps to our salvation and redemption. St. Joseph knew to some extent that this would one day happen, because Simeon prophesied this in the temple, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted.” We know that as Joseph died, and our Lord died, one day we too will close our eyes in death. 

Dear St. Joseph, please pray for us, that we may receive the grace of a happy and holy death. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...