Subject Matter: Eighth Station of the Cross ~ Jesus Speaks to the Holy Women
Free Religion Lesson from Our Holy Faith, Book 1 Teacher’s Manual
Objectives
- To develop an appreciation of and gratitude for the love of Jesus as manifested in His suffering
- To foster a keen desire of imitating Jesus’ virtue of kindness
Approach
Many of the people who followed Jesus to His crucifixion were His friends. They were sorrowful because they knew Jesus was innocent and should not have to suffer this way. (Show picture of eighth station)
Presentation
The Women
Jesus continued His way to Calvary. A group of women were crying along the road, because they were grieved to see someone suffer as much as Jesus was suffering.
What Jesus Told the Women
Jesus was grateful to these holy women. But He wanted to let them know the chief cause for His suffering. He told them not to weep for Him, but for themselves and for their sins. He was God, and He chose to suffer to save us. But He wants us to root out the cause of His suffering – our sins, the only things that can keep us from Him and keep us out of heaven.
What Jesus Wants Us to Do
Jesus wants us to weep for our sins by doing penance for them. He wants us to stay close to Him. He died for us, but His death will have been in vain if we refuse to follow Him, if we prefer our own sins to Him. What will you choose – Jesus or sin?
Organization
- Who felt sorry for Jesus carrying the heavy cross?
- What were the women doing?
- Why were they crying?
- What did Jesus tell the weeping women?
- What does Jesus want us to do?
Virtues and Practices
- Be truly sorry for sin.
- Speak kindly to others.
- Do not talk unnecessarily in school.
Suggested Learning Activities
- Discuss how we can encourage others to be good, especially by our good example. Picture study of the eighth Station.
- Compose and chart an original prayer.
- Poem: “Jesus Comforts the Women,” Belger, Sing a Song of Holy Things, p. 68