Stones Along the Way

Stones have been on my mind lately. References have appeared numerous times in Scripture readings over the past month. Which one of you would hand your son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread? Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. Multiple times, Jesus was threatened with stoning for proclaiming, in one way or another, I am. 

At the end of the Gospel passage (Luke 19:28-40) to be read before the Palm Sunday Procession of the Lord enters the church, we hear some of the Pharisees ordering Jesus to rebuke his disciples because they are praising and honoring him. Jesus replies, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out” This suggests that even if people are silenced, inanimate objects will testify to Jesus’ identity and mission.

I went through a period of collecting interesting stones from various places we visited. Heart-shaped stones were at the top of my collection list. As I approach this year’s Holy Week journey, the stone-paved streets of the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows) are collecting on my heart and in my prayers. This is the traditional route in the old city of Jerusalem believed to be the path Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion, the Way of the Cross. 

Here we are, on the cusp of Our Lord’s Holy Week journey to Calvary. We know what is ahead for him…betrayal, arrest, pain, torture, crucifixion, a tomb sealed with a large stone. Jesus accepted this was the way to bring us salvation. He embraced the Father’s will. How can we do less? 

I envision Jesus stumbling and slipping on the large stone slabs that paved the streets of Jerusalem, carrying that heavy cross to Calvary. I recall the times I have stumbled into sin and slipped from God’s grace. Each time Jesus falls, his body meets unforgiving stone, pain made much worse by the weight of the cross he is carrying. Out of his great love, he also carried the weight of my sins, sins I commit when I allow my soul to hold onto the stones of anger, impatience, unkindness, intolerance, and more.

Suffering Jesus, help me navigate the rough stones that are part of my life on earth. Help me lay down the judgmental stones that form too often in my heart and ask your forgiveness. May I walk the stone-paved streets to Calvary with you this Holy Week, proclaiming your glory and the truth of your message.

Blessings on your Holy Week steppingstones.