Stations of the Resurrection

The Via Lucis [or Stations of the Resurrection] were … endorsed by the Holy See in December 2001 in the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy. The Stations of Light draw together stories from the Gospel that follow Jesus after the Resurrection….

1. Jesus is raised from the dead (Matthew 28: 1-8)

The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.’ Unexpected joys: Sometimes good news can surprise us. Can you remember a time when you were expecting the worst, but something good happened instead?

2. The finding of the empty tomb (John 20: 3-18)

As yet, they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Unseen redemption: We don’t always see a path out of our despair, even when it’s right before our eyes. Are there times in your life when you have struggled to see the way forward?

3. Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-27)

How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared. Encountering Jesus: God can often speak to us in unexpected ways. Can you remember a time when a stranger taught you an important lesson about life?

4. Jesus is known in the breaking of bread (Luke 24: 28-35)

Then their eyes were opened, and they recognised him. Welcoming God: There are many people in our world who are excluded from our table. Who are some of the groups that we don’t always recognise as God’s people?

5. Jesus gives the disciples his peace and the power to forgive sins (John 20: 21-23)

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. The power of forgiveness: We sometimes get hurt by the people around us. How does the fact that God forgives our sins change the way we relate to those who have wronged us?

6. Jesus strengthens the faith of Thomas (John 20: 24-29)

Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have come to believe. Leaps of faith: God doesn’t appear to us in obvious ways, we must decide whether we want to allow ourselves to believe in our hearts. What sustains your belief in God?

7. Jesus forgives Peter and commands him to feed his sheep (John 21: 1-19)

Do you love me?… Feed my sheep. Caring for God’s people: Our gifts from God are not for ourselves, but for all people. How do you share your gifts with others?

8. Jesus commissions the disciples upon the mountain (Matthew 28: 16-20)

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Disciples of all nations: We live in a secular world, with people of many faiths. How can we be more Christian towards people who believe and live differently to ourselves?

9. The Ascension of Jesus (Mark 16: 19-20)

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven. Christ’s promise:  This life is just the beginning of our journey as Christians. There is a place for us with God when we die. What do you think heaven will be like?

10. The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost (Acts 1: 12-14, Acts 2: 2-4)

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages. Servants of God: First and foremost, as Christians, our mission is to embody and share the love of God in the world. How do you serve God in your life?

BRINGING THE VIA LUCIS TO LIFE