THE NINTH STATION OF THE CROSS
Jesus Falls a Third Time

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L:  We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
     (Bow)
All:  By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

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L:  I cry to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. I lie down among lions that greedily devour human prey; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongues sharp swords. They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my path, but they have fallen into it themselves. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast.     (Psalm 57:2,4,6-7a)

(Kneel/sit and pause for reflection)

L:  My God, my God:

All:  Why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.  I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my mouth is dried up like baked clay, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.     (Psalm 22:1-2,14-15)

L:  Let us pray.  Almighty God, there are times when life's burdens weigh down upon us, and our faith is so drained that we feel forsaken and abandoned by you.  Yet you never forsake those who are your own.  As you raised your Son from death to life, from despair to joy, so be present in our lives and raise us to hope in Jesus Christ our Lord.

All:  Amen

(Stand and move to the next station, singing:)

          Stripped and jeered by his own nation,
          Jesus stood in desolation,
          Giving all he had to give.

On to THE TENTH STATION
Jesus Is Stripped of His Clothes...

The Stations Of The Cross: . .

OPENING PRAYER
Before the Altar

THE FIRST STATION
Jesus Is Condemned to Death

THE SECOND STATION
Jesus Carries His Cross

THE THIRD STATION
Jesus Falls the First Time

THE FOURTH STATION
Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother

THE FIFTH STATION
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

THE SIXTH STATION
A Woman Offers Comfort to Jesus

THE SEVENTH STATION
Jesus Falls a Second Time

THE EIGHTH STATION
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

THE NINTH STATION
Jesus Falls a Third Time

THE TENTH STATION
Jesus Is Stripped of His Clothes

THE ELEVENTH STATION
Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross

THE TWELFTH STATION
Jesus Dies on the Cross

THE THIRTEENTH STATION
Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross

THE FOURTEENTH STATION
Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb

Closing Prayer
Before the Altar