A Lenten Journey in Faith

We strive for Chapel Time at The Woods Academy to be a peaceful time of prayer, reflection, and character building. These last few weeks of Lent at Chapel, we had Eucharistic Adoration with Fr. Danny Morrison of Little Flower Parish and Fr. David Spillane, L.C. and we focused on the Stations of the Cross. At our last Lower School Chapel before Easter break, the 7th grade students reenacted a Living Stations of the Cross for the school. The school and parents  gathered and listened to the meditation of Jesus’ steps to his death and we prayed together as a community. Thank you to the 7th grade students for this Lenten gift.

The brutality of the crucifixion may bring intense feelings for some but we must challenge ourselves to be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. It is OK to feel sad and remorseful. But why do we dwell on something so sad and brutal that Jesus experienced? The immersion into Christ’s suffering isn't about a morbid fascination or self loathing, but about finding empathy and gratitude for His great sacrifice. The intense shadow of Good Friday cast on us as we prayed on the Stations only makes the brilliant light from Jesus’ empty tomb on Easter Sunday even more dazzling. We can walk the stations together because we know the ending of this story. Spoiler alert! We win! The sadness we feel when thinking about Jesus on the cross is erased on Easter when Jesus conquered death and rose on the third day.