Stations for Friday

Running this weekend, I was blessed to listen to a podcast of the Stations of the Cross, which was a beautiful way to bring the Lenten season into my workout. And while all the reflections were powerful, the one that really stood out was the Fifth Station, Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross. You can get the podcast here (click to listen, right-click to download), but to paraphrase, the speaker observed that Christ took on the frailty of humanity so completely that He even took on dependence — needing someone else to help Him. In His passion, Jesus denied Himself even that faint sense of pride that we derive from being able to bear our burdens on our own. The almighty, omnipotent God lowered Himself to be like all of us in our moments of weakness, desperate for a helping hand.

For runners, this is a worthy notion to keep in mind, that dependence is part of our very nature. I know that when I’m running long distances, it’s easy for me to get prideful, to become enamored with my own accomplishments. But even in a marathon, where would we be without the volunteers handing out water on the side of the road? Or the loved ones who enable us to train? Or the awesome God who give us our every breath and ability?

Yes, there will likely be a day when each of us will be radically dependent on others — as we were as babies, and as we will be again in times of sickness or old age. But actually, we are radically dependent on Him each and every day, each and every step. And how amazing it is to think that He, out of His great love for us, at one time made Himself completely dependent on us, His creatures — from His dependency on Mary in the womb to His dependency on Simon on the way to Calvary.

For anyone planning a run for Friday — or for that matter, a run any time this Lent — I heartily recommend taking the Stations along with you. In addition to the podcast I listened to, here are a couple others which I haven’t heard yet, but I think I’ll try out this weekend (again, click to listen, right-click to download.):

• The Stations of the Cross from the Rosary Army
• From the USCCB Lenten Resources
• From EWTN
• From Fr. Z

(H/T: Sonitus Sanctus)