Station 7: Jesus Falls the Second Time

By Jason Vu

Once more, dear Lord, the heavy weight of the cross brings You to Your knees. As I look upon You fallen on the ground, I am reminded of my own repeated fallings — my limitations, my mistakes, my failures.

Like You, Jesus, I have received great love in my life through the “Marys,” “Simons,” and “Veronicas” You’ve placed along my path. And yet, I often fall short of responding to this love in kind. I hesitate to offer myself fully. I hold back. I fail to love as freely as I have been loved.

When shame and regret bring me low, I find that You are already there waiting for me. You meet me in the darkness I try to hide. You lower Yourself simply to be beside me — even when I feel unworthy, even when I feel unlovable.

As You rise from the ground to continue Your journey, I begin to understand Your gentle invitation:

to take a breath, 

to get up, 

to keep going.

I know I will likely fall again and again. But I trust that You will always be there — ready to lift me, steady me, and bear me up with You.