I wish for each of you a joyful Easter day, peace beyond all understanding in the midst of whatever is happening, and a way to get to a place that feels like home. Those are the blessings of Easter, it seems to me today.
I learned something about Easter celebrations this year, thanks to the internet. All my adult life, I’ve heard Roman Catholic friends and relatives talk about “doing the Stations of the Cross.” I figured it had something to do with remembering the crucifixion of Jesus, but I didn’t know what. The “stations” are not part of my Protestant tradition. But I was curious, and I had internet, so I went a-googlin’. First I found sites for adults that gave me information but didn’t entice me in the least. I learned that the “stations” are a devotional practice that begin in the 4th century in Jerusalem. Believers went to places that Jesus had gone during His last days and hours, and meditated upon His experience and its meaning. For a Christian, that is clearly a worthwhile thing to do, but the way in which it was presented — going to different locations in a church and reciting scripted verses and prayers — didn’t capture my imagination.
Then I went to a Stations of the Cross site for children, and I saw much more value in the practice. That’s the site I’d like to share with you this morning. What I liked most about it is that after describing each scene — Jesus being mocked, or Simon helping to carry the cross — the reader is encouraged to remember a time when you felt that way, and “show Jesus your heart.” Then Jesus will help you change your heart, will heal your heart. That seemed to me to be as good a description of following the Christian path as any I’ve ever seen: showing Jesus my heart, getting help to change my heart when it needs to change.
Happy Easter, friends.
He is risen!
Psalm 51:10-12
What Was I Thinking? 
I was raised Catholic and I don’t really remember the Stations being explained like that. Thank you and Happy Easter, sister.
That’s a neat website!
May all the joys and blessings of Easter be with you today.
I was also raised Catholic and remember seeing the Stations of the Cross on the walls of the church, but didn’t know the purpose. Thank you for the explanation.
Happy Easter, susie!
He is risen indeed!
The other day, our almost-4 year-old neighbor stopped by to show us his resurrection eggs. Each one contains something important to the Easter story–a crown of thorns, nails, a spear, a stone, and one was even empty. As he showed me each item, he explained its significance. I thought it was such a great idea, and a way to keep the focus on the story instead of the candy. This doesn’t really have anything to do with your post, but the mention of the website for kids reminded me of it.
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter Sunday my dear Susie.
*looking for hats and bonnets commentary*
Being raised as a heathen (no religious teaching at all) I love to read about various religious practices and what they mean. Not just factual concepts but the emotional/spiritual side as well. Very cool. Happy Easter.
Happy Easter, Susie! I hope you have a blessed day.
I’m Anglican and while we don’t “do” the stations of the cross, we have representations of them on the walls of the church, and the children often act out the stations of the cross on Palm Sunday, sort of like a play. It helps to remind us as a community what happened to Jesus and his Disciples and why we should remember. Thank you for sharing the website!
That whole “Jesus is your friend” thing is much more of a Protestant idea than a Catholic one, so I can see why that site would be more appealing to someone with your background. Catholicism as I know it tends to reserve those feelings more for Mary.
To me, the Stations of the Cross were always about remembering the suffering of Christ, which he went through willingly to save us. That made Jesus a revered being — far too good to be my friend. Mary, on the other hand, is the Mother of God, a human being who has a special place in Heaven where she can intercede with Him for us.
It’s a very different relationship (not one I feel literally anymore), and the differences fascinate me.
Happy Easter, Susie!
I’ll have to come back to check out your suggested website. I know a little bit about the Stations of the Cross, as the military chapel community is better about sharing Catholic & Protestant ideas than most civilian churches.
Happy Easter, Susie! I hope you all had a wonderful day!
Happy Easter Susie, thank you for blessing my day! I pray God’s richest blessings for you and your family.
It seems that your first paragraph was written just for me. It was just what I needed to hear, at any rate. Thank you.
Happy Easter, Susie.
Do I see cuppity-cakes? May I have one please? They look delicious! Hope you had a happy Easter!
He is risen, indeed!
(I know I’m a couple days late, but He IS still risen, indeed!)
A belated Happy Easter to you, my friend.
And I’m happy to say that I think I finally AM in “a place that feels like home.”
Love, hugs, and prayers, dear.
P.S. BEAUTIFUL cupcakes!
Hi Susie….your cup cakes look pretty good….I haven’t been by in a while, so I thought I’d stop by to see what your up to…. judy
I love the Cupcake Colorfest! That would make a great poster, actually. Hmmmmmm…….
Cupcakes…drool! 🙂 I hope all is well with your mom. Haven’t seen an update lately, but I’m sending oodles of prayers and good thoughts.
Stations of the Cross – it’s just another Catholic ploy to make Mass last another hour or two. Oh, and might as well stick around for the Rosary while you’re at it. 😉
Now I want some cupcakes. Got any vanilla ones?
i know you don’t post often…but seriously…you must remove these pictures of cupcakes…OR send me some…every time i pop in…i see these cupcakes…and I WANT THEM…right now!
….hmmm…what happened to the “presenting problem” post? shows up on the reader, but 404 error on the web page.
Happy Sunday, Missy Susie!
I just today turned the page of the calendar and find a picture of a lovely Florida beach.
Both the waves and the cupcakes make me long to be a place where I am not sitting now.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Susie, could you read this entry for me, and let me or her know if this sounds anything like WTF/Lyme’s Disease? Some things about it remind me of you.
http://ninjapoodles.blogspot.com/2009/05/live-from-limbo.html
I don’t know whether to hope that you say yes or no.