Take Up The Cross

On Good Friday, many churches walk the Stations of the Cross, traveling those last painful moments of Jesus’ walk to Golgotha.

When on pilgrimage in the Holy Land, pilgrims can walk the Via Dolorosa in the Old City of Jerusalem. When another deacon and I led the liturgy of the Stations of the Cross for our pilgrims - members of Episcopal, Methodist, and Baptist churches - the Baptist pastor took me aside and said that he had walked this way 17 times, but this was the first time he grasped the full meaning and power, for it was the first time he had experienced the powerful liturgy and its depth of emotion and meaning.

Each year my fellow deacons Carolyn Foster and Mark LaGory lead the Stations of the Cross starting in Linn Park in Downtown Birmingham, visiting also Kelly Ingram Park, and the 16th Street Baptist Church. They adapted the liturgy to touch the reality of suffering and injustice in today’s world. It is a powerful testament to Jesus’ call to take up his cross and follow him.

When I notice the 14 Stations of the Cross at the various cathedrals and churches I visit, I am always drawn to the Second Station, Jesus Takes Up His Cross. I suppose it speaks to me of his call to servant ministry.

This Holy Week has been overflowing with servant ministry as I marvel at our St. James Hospitality teams, devoted women and men, working behind the scenes to welcome warmly our guests from other congregations to our Lenten Lunches. What a glorious testimony to Jesus’ call to love and serve!

As we await the celebration of Jesus’ glorious resurrection, may we remember we are always Easter people, filled with abundant blessings as we take up his cross and love and serve our Lord.

God’s peace,

Judy Q