'Jesus, help me to carry the crosses in my life'

With the coronavirus and layoffs spreading, Father Mike Zavage saw a teachable moment in the Stations of the Cross. He revised the prayers to encourage parishioners to find new meaning in their struggles.

“Jesus, as I walk these stations in your footsteps, I unite all my sufferings, fears, inconveniences and hardships to your cross,” Father Zavage prayed in devotions recorded for the Neighbors North Catholic Community.

“Remind me, Jesus, during this pandemic that nothing is impossible with God, and that my sacrifices are redemptive when I unite them to you.”

Redemptive suffering is the belief that when people offer up a difficulty to God, they open up to him, drawing upon his strength and power to face challenges. Through his presence, they can in turn offer up the difficulty as a prayer of intercession for others—an act of love—giving meaning to their suffering.

“In doing so, we’re suddenly not powerless,” Father Zavage said. “We’re nailing our suffering to the cross of Christ.”

For the first station, when Jesus is condemned to death, Father Zavage’s new prayer says, “This pandemic has made me fearful as I realize how powerless I am to control the unknown. Jesus, please help me to let go of my pride so that I can trust in you.”

For the third station, Jesus falls for the first time, the prayer says, “I am overwhelmed by the weight of all my worries, anxieties, fears…while I forget what you did for me on the cross. Jesus, help me to carry the crosses in my life, reminding me that I never carry them alone.”

In an interview, Father Zavage asked, “What happens when I give all that to Jesus? I’m in solidarity with everyone else, united with all who are suffering.”

Father Zavage said he told God in prayer, “‘the world is so crazy right now.’ But God answered me, ‘Mike, the world has always been crazy, with wars and starvation and everything.’ And I realized he’s right, we’re just more directly affected right now.”

These Stations of the Cross are available at https://neighborsnorth.org.

Photo: Father Zavage prays the Stations of the Cross at St. Athanasius Parish in West View, part of the Neighbors North Catholic Community.