“Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).” John 19:16-17

Jesus is now cut off from everyone, he must endure alone. His face is swollen from the beatings, his hands torn from the wood he struggles to carry, he stumbles, he drags the implement of his execution forward. There is no turning back he walks this way for us.

Elizabeth of the Trinity said, “Let us ask God to make us true in our love, to make us sacrificial beings, for it seems to me that sacrifice is only love put into action.”

God forgive us for talking about love without sacrifice. Make us bold to tell this story. How you walked the path for us so we might have a relationship with You. Forgive us for turning away when needed. Forgive us for thinking only of ourselves. May our love reflect, if possible, the sacrifice in flesh you bore for our sins. Amen.