# St. Faustina’s Way of the Cross
*2017-05-07*

> Bill Young reflects on St. Faustina’s “Way of the Cross,” sharing personal experiences of unjust accusation and exploring each of the fourteen stations as presented in her diary.

## Introduction and Personal Testimony

Good afternoon, everyone. I’m Bill Young, and welcome to Prayer & Lunch. Before we begin the commentary on St. Faustina’s Way of the Cross, I want to share a quote from her diary (entry 289): “Do not be surprised if you are sometimes unjustly accused. I myself first drank this cup of undeserved suffering for love of you.”

In my own life I have felt unjustly accused more than once. The first time, a manager filed a complaint against me; it was overturned, but the dispute continued, leading to mediation and a settlement that left my pay unchanged. Three years later a similar situation arose, and I was escorted out of the building. The case went to court, and the employer lost on a technicality because they failed to respond for two and a half years. Ultimately we reached an out‑of‑court settlement. These experiences remind me that we must keep faith that God will bring justice in the end.

## What Faith Looks Like

I like to describe faith as watching an Olympic game when you already know the final score. You relax and enjoy how the outcome unfolds, even though you already know who wins. In the same way, we know God’s ultimate victory; we trust Him while we wait to see how He works it out in our lives.

## The Fourteen Stations According to St. Faustina

1. **Jesus is condemned to death** – “Do not be surprised if you are sometimes unjustly accused. I myself first drank this cup of undeserved suffering for love of you.”
2. **Jesus takes up His cross** – “Do not be afraid of suffering; I am with you.”
3. **Jesus falls the first time** – “My Jesus, despite your graces, I see and feel all the misery, but I do not lose heart. I trust in God’s abundant grace even in the worst misery.”
4. **Jesus meets His sorrowful Mother** – “Do not fear the apparent obstacles, but fix your gaze upon the passion of my Son, and in this way you will be victorious.”
5. **Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross** – “I do not reward for good results, but for patience and a heart‑worthy love for my sake.”
6. **Veronica wipes the face of Jesus** – “Know that whatever good you do for any soul, I accept it as if you have done it to me.”
7. **Jesus falls the second time** – “Jesus, do not leave me alone in suffering. Lord, how weak I am.”
8. **Jesus consoles the women of Jerusalem** – “How pleasing it is to me, living faith.”
9. **Jesus falls the third time** – “Do not lose heart; I am always ready to forgive you.”
10. **Jesus is stripped of His garments** – “My likeness to Jesus must be through suffering and humility.”
11. **Jesus is nailed to the cross** – “My people have great love for those who cause you suffering.”
12. **Jesus dies on the cross** – “All this is for the salvation of souls. Consider well what you are doing for their salvation.”
13. **Jesus is taken down from the cross** – “Most dear to me are the souls that strongly believe in my goodness and place complete trust in me.”
14. **Jesus is laid in the tomb** – “Every soul you have entrusted to me, Jesus, I will aid with prayer and sacrifice. Amen.”

## Conclusion

St. Faustina’s reflections on the Passion invite us to unite our own sufferings with Christ’s, trusting that even unjust accusations can become a means of grace when offered for the salvation of souls.

*In every unjust trial, unite your suffering with Christ’s cross, confident that God’s ultimate victory is already assured.*