Next week, Monday, April 21st, will be the 118th running of the Boston Marathon. Activities are planned to honor the survivors from last year’s bomb blasts, the first responders, and the heroes who took action when the chaos erupted. The Boston Strong will once again let their voices be heard as they cheer on over 35,000 participants. The following is a clip from online information . . . “This year, there will be more than 35,660 official participants in the Boston Marathon, including more than 5,330 participants from more than 70 countries outside the United States. More spectators than ever before will line the 26.2-mile course on Patriots’ Day to view the Marathon. In addition, more than 1,800 members of the media from more than 300 outlets will cover the Boston Marathon, providing the Greater Boston region with unparalleled international exposure”
As I was pondering this week’s Scripture readings of Holy Week, I began wondering what was the distance that Jesus walked while carrying his cross to Golgotha. Upon researching this, I found that his “Via Dolorosa” was approximately a quarter of a mile – roughly 500 steps.
I began wondering if I could unite myself with those making this re-enactment? So I've decided to wear my pedometer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedometer and be aware of the Via Dolorosa and count my steps as a prayer of solidarity with all who walk a Via Dolorosa everyday. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Via_Dolorosa Will you join me?
What I mean is that the women in the refugee camps in the Sudan. They walk their own Via Dolorosa each time they go outside the camp to collect firewood at the risk of being raped or killed. http://allafrica.com/stories/201403170801.html
What I mean is that the women who for any reason are “held captive” by systems of oppression that prevent them from having the freedom to be educated, making choices about their own health, or being used in the sex trade, or in drug trafficking.
As we ponder Jesus’ “way of the cross” this week, let us become informed about the global injustices of women and children and then ponder and pray for those who walk their own “way of suffering” - Via Dolorosa everyday . . .
O God, we pray for all those in our world
who are suffering from injustice:
For those who are discriminated against
because of their race, color or religion;
For those imprisoned
for working for the relief of oppression;
For those who are hounded
for speaking the inconvenient truth;
For those tempted to violence
as a cry against overwhelming hardship;
For those deprived of reasonable health and education;
For those suffering from hunger and famine;
For those too weak to help themselves
and who have no one else to help them;
For the unemployed who cry out
for work but do not find it.
We pray for anyone of our acquaintance
who is personally affected by injustice.
Forgive us, Lord, if we unwittingly share in the conditions
or in a system that perpetuates injustice.
Show us how we can serve your children
and make your love practical by washing their feet.
Mother Teresa
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