Emmaus Blog

Monday, March 16, 2016: Station 14:  Jesus’ disciples place his body in the tomb. Scripture: John 19:38-40 After this Joseph of Arimathe´a, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body. Nicode´mus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds’ weight. They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of that time. Prayer: Jesus, your mother and followers watched as your body was placed in the tomb, not knowing that you would rise again. Be with our immigrant brothers and sisters as they seek hope even when their worlds crumble and they face unimaginable suffering. You are our hope in the darkness of the tomb. Reflection: For the moment, all hope appears to be lost. But God’s greatest moment, the Resurrection, is about to begin. Reflec...

Sunday, March 15, 2026: The Thirteenth Station:  Jesus’ Body is Removed from the Cross Scripture: Matthew 27:57-58 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathe´a, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. Reflection: “Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.” When Jesus dies on the cross; many people might interpret this as Jesus giving up. He’s over fighting to stay alive for these people who don’t seem to care that he lives or dies. But in my interpretation, it was his last act of unconditional love. PRAYER: We are filled with sorrow thinking of Mary cradling your lifeless body. Too many mothers and fathers today suffer the deaths of children due to the forces of injustice, including the violence of forced migration. Help us remember and honor the countless, unnamed many who die on...

Saturday, March 14, 2026: The Twelfth Station:  Jesus Dies on the Cross Scripture: Luke 23:44-46 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Reflection: Give us the wisdom to use our minds to think for ourselves; teach us to develop and listen to our conscience; fill us with grace to see and experience suffering in a way to get closer to every person we meet.  Prayer:  Loving God, your death on the cross felt like a moment of utter darkness, when all was lost. We hold in our hearts so many immigrants in detention who wait in misery to see if they will lose everything they hold dear. Help us – and them – to recall that, because of your cross, death and misery are followed by resurrection. Story: My client Santiago ...

Friday, March 13, 2026: The Eleventh Station:  Jesus is Nailed to the Cross Scripture: Luke 23:33-34 And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. Reflection: You’ll never see a greater example of love than the moment that Jesus was nailed to the cross. Jesus, teach us to love like you.  Help us to never judge, objectify, or ignore the people in our path, but see each and every person we meet as you see them. Prayer:  Oh God, we see your face in all those who face torture and abuse today, including victims of trafficking. You endured crucifixion for love of us; help us to know that and remember it in our darkest days. Story: Yemi, a young man from Nigeria, was lured into a human trafficking scheme that brought him through many countries until he eventually arrived ...

Thursday, March 12, 2026: The Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments Scripture: John 19:23-24 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the scripture, “They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” Reflection: They’ve taken everything from Jesus, even his clothes. But it doesn’t matter–no amount of humiliation, no amount of pain, will stop Jesus from fulfilling what God has asked of him. The soldiers strip Jesus of his garments, treating him as a common criminal. Prayer:  Jesus, you were humiliated and degraded by the powers of your day, treated as a criminal despite your gentleness. We hold in our hearts our immigrant brothers and sisters who are degraded by the injustice of our systems. Draw ne...

Wednesday, March 11, 2026: Station 9: Weakened almost to the point of death, Jesus falls a third time. Scripture: Psalm 38:4-9 I am utterly spent and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. Lord, all my longing is known to thee, my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart throbs, my strength fails me; and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me. My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my kinsmen stand afar off. But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. Reflection: Jesus is exhausted and the weight of the cross overwhelms him. There are times in our lives like this too–times when we don’t know which way is up or down, left or right, back or forward. What do you do when you find yourself beat up and abandoned in one of life’s dark alleys? Walk toward the light. Prayer: Lord Jesus, this last fall showed your utter exhaustion after hours of suffering. Many of our immigrant brothers and sisters today find themselves close ...