A Way of the Cross in a Time of Pandemic*

In the quiet and often isolated days of the pandemic, many of us found ourselves reflecting deeply on life, suffering, and the call for resilience. A Way of the Cross in a Time of Pandemic is a meditation on these reflections, drawing on the Stations of the Cross to help us understand, endure, and even find hope amid the challenges we face.

The Way of the Cross traditionally brings us through the final hours of Jesus’s life—a journey filled with sorrow, sacrifice, and, ultimately, triumph. During a pandemic, these stations hold new meaning as we experience our own "stations" of suffering: fear, illness, loneliness, loss, and the longing for an end to hardship. Just as Jesus bore his cross with love and courage, we, too, are invited to walk our own path with a spirit of compassion, patience, and hope.

The Stations Reimagined

Each station in the Way of the Cross reminds us of a specific moment in Jesus’s journey, and in the context of a pandemic, these moments resonate with us in unique ways:

1. Jesus Is Condemned to Death: The shock of a diagnosis or the grim statistics we see daily can feel like condemnation. Like Jesus, we are faced with difficult realities beyond our control.

2. Jesus Accepts His Cross: Accepting the weight of new restrictions, uncertainty, and isolation has been our cross to bear. But we learn to carry it, leaning on the strength that can come only from faith and community support.

3. Jesus Falls the First Time: In moments when it all feels overwhelming, we fall too. But Jesus's first fall reminds us that falling is not failing. Each time we stumble, we are called to rise again.

4. Jesus Meets His Mother: Like Mary standing by Jesus, many have stood by us, reaching out in support. Family, friends, and even strangers have shown us compassion and love, bringing comfort to our darkest days.

5. Simon Helps Jesus Carry the Cross: We are reminded of the countless healthcare workers, volunteers, and essential personnel who have stepped up to ease the burden for others, becoming modern-day Simons.

Each station speaks to our experience and encourages us to see beyond personal suffering, to hope, and to recognize those who continue to support us along the way.

Finding Hope Through the Cross

The Way of the Cross doesn’t end in sorrow. The journey leads to resurrection and new life. This reminds us that though we endure hardship now, there is hope for healing, recovery, and renewal. Reflecting on these stations can help us find meaning in our suffering, trust in God’s presence, and a deeper appreciation for the shared humanity that unites us all.

The path we walk now may be challenging, but, as A Way of the Cross in a Time of Pandemic teaches us, there is grace in every step, a reminder that we are never truly alone. Through these reflections, may we find comfort and courage to continue forward with faith and hope, bearing our crosses in solidarity with one another and with Christ.