Stations of the Cross for Teachers - The Eleventh Station

Jesus is nailed to the cross

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

John 17:19: Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others--one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

Reflection: Keeping in mind that the word excruciating literally means "out of the cross," we reflect on Jesus and the excruciating pain he suffered as soldiers pounded thick nails through his hands and feet. As he completely surrendered any natural human desire to protect himself, Christ bore this pain - our pain - as a supreme sign of his overwhelming love for God's people.

Prayer: Jesus, on the cross you embraced the pain of generations of sinful men and women. As teachers who often see pain and suffering behind the eyes of our students, we pray that you will guide us by your example of profound empathy. Teach us to share the pain of our students, and to be for them signs of your love in their lives.