Stations of the Cross

As we enter Holy Week, here are some meditations on the Way of the Cross, taken from All Things Made New. (Click on the link.) And here are Malcolm Guite's superb sonnets for the Stations taken from his book Sounding the Seasons. The painting on the right is by Velazquez. Please read also the following lovely prayer of St Ephraim, with commentary:

O Lord and Master of my life,
Grant not unto me a spirit of idleness,
of discouragement,
of lust for power,
and of vain speaking.

But bestow upon me, Thy servant,
the spirit of chastity,
of meekness,
of patience,
and of love.

Yea, O Lord and King,
grant that I may perceive
my own transgressions,
and judge not my brother,
for blessed art Thou
unto ages of ages.
Amen.