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Today we continue with the epical events that are central to Christianity; the Carrying of the Cross and the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  Narrative Imagery exercises, accompanied by Audio Imagery, complement the telling of these events.  To listen to the Imagery, just click the icon and hear the exercises as you would in a class.  I’d love your feedback on this new Audio feature.

THE PASSION NARRATIVE (CONT’D)

The Road to Golgotha (also called Calvary)

“Then the soldiers…took Jesus into the palace.  They stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, a crown of thorns they put on his head…And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.”       (Matthew 27:27-31)

After the rigors of trials by both Herod and Pilate and abuse by Pilate’s battalion, Jesus Christ is exhausted and weak.  And so a man called Simon from Cyrene is commandeered to help carry the cross.

Imagery Exercise: Carrying The Cross

Close your eyes and breathe out three times. See, feel, sense and know the agony of Jesus Christ as he walks with the cross toward Golgotha.  Breathe out and open your eyes.

 Click Here And Listen To The Imagery Exercise

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Veronica’s Compassion

As Jesus Christ struggles toward Golgotha, the women of Jerusalem mourn and lament Him.  One among them is a brave, compassionate woman who pushes through the crowd to offer Jesus Christ comfort by wiping the sweat from His face with her veil.  Touched by her empathy, Jesus Christ leaves His image on the veil.  This is said to be the only authentic picture of the face of Jesus Christ.  This woman’s true name is not known; but over time she becomes Veronica from “vera icon, true image” and is canonized Saint Veronica by the Catholic Church.

Imagery Exercise: Veronica Ministers To Jesus Christ

Close your eyes and breathe out three times.  See, feel, sense and know how Veronica empathizes with every step Jesus Christ takes.  Feel her courage as she pushes through the crowd to comfort him.  In a minute breathe out one time and open your eyes.

Click Here And Listen To The Imagery Exercise 

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Jesus Christ Acknowledges Compassion

Close your eyes and breathe out three times.  See, feel, sense and know how Jesus Christ honors your acts of love and compassion.  Keep this close to your heart.  In a minute, breathe out one time and open your eyes.

Click Here And Listen To The Imagery Exercise 

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The Crucifixion

As our story continues, Jesus Christ and the crowd following Him reach Golgotha, where “they crucified him and divided his garments among them…It was the third hour when they crucified him.  And the inscription of the charge against Him read The King of the Jews.”  (Mark 15:33-41)

His mother, Mary, her sister, Mary; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, Salome and the other women from Galilee watch from a distance and pray.

Imagery Exercise – The Women Pray For Jesus Christ

Close your eyes and breathe out three times.  See, feel, sense and know Jesus Christ as the Son of God.  Pray with all the women who ask for God the Father’s compassion to end Jesus Christ’s agony.  In a minute, breathe out one time and open your eyes.

Click Here And Listen To The Imagery Exercise 

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Imagery Exercise: Jesus Christ Dies On The Cross

Close your eyes and breathe out three times.   “There is darkness over all the land when Jesus Christ cries with a loud voice, ‘My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”..And He cries again with a loud voice saying, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Having said this, He breathed his last breath. Know how at that moment Jesus Christ died for our sins and promised us eternal life.  (Quote from Matthew 27-45.56 and Luke 23:46)

Click Here And Listen To The Imagery Exercise 

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Imagery Exercise –  The Will Of The Father Is Fulfilled By The Son

Breathe out three times.  At the moment Jesus Christ dies, an earthquake shakes the land splitting rocks, opening tombs and raising saints who had fallen asleep. The will of The Father has been fulfilled by The Son.

Click Here And Listen To The Imagery Exercise 
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Please join me tomorrow for The Burial of Jesus and The Empty Tomb.