The Tenth Station:
Jesus is Stripped
In your loving mind, dear Jesus, did You look up to the Father as You stood there on that windy hill, shivering from cold and shame and trembling from fear, and ask Him to have mercy on those who would violate their purity and make love a mockery? Did you ask forgiveness for those whose greed would make them lie, cheat and steal for a few pieces of cold silver?
Forgive us all, dear Jesus. Look upon the world with pity, for mankind has lost its way and the principles of this world make lust a fun game and luxury a necessity. Detachment has become merely another hardship of the poor and obedience the fault of the weak. Have mercy on us and grant the people of this day the courage to see and know themselves and the light to change. Amen
Prayers for the Tenth Station of the Cross
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Adam and Eve didn’t know they were naked until they had sinned. Eve’s teeth broke flesh and she was suddenly made aware of the vulnerability of her own. It was different than her companion’s and she suddenly didn’t want him looking at her.
Adam took a bite next and his own insecurities were exposed. Both were ashamed and frantically tried to fashion coverings from what they could find in the bushes. The leaves and twigs they twist into clothes cut their flesh and become a scarlet A, announcing their identity as sinners to the world. Humanity was forever tainted; even infants would now be counted as sinners.
As Jesus faced the cross his clothes were removed, perhaps even the crown of thorns embedding his head. As children of Adam and Eve, the idea of our messiah crucified naked seems shocking and disrespectful, distracting us from the real offense which was the crucifixion. Taking his place on the cross, Christ becomes Adam in reverse.
