The God who made the universe,
and holds it in existence
by his will alone,
becomes a man, too weak to bear
a piece of timber's weight.

How human in his weakness
is the Son of God.

My father willed it thus.
I could not be your model otherwise.

If you would be my other self,
you also accept without complaint
your human frailities.

O Lord, the weight of your cross made you fall, but you struggled to your feet and moved on. Teach me, and those who seek to follow you, guide us to the understanding that sin is not in the falling but in the failure to get up and carry on.

You have been a source of endless strength to your people. With the power of God flowing through your human form you have healed the sick, raised the dead and taught the Word. Now the power ebbs from your human form and you falter, struggle and carry on.

For our sins did you bear the burden of the Cross under the weight you fell. May the remembrance of your suffering make us watchful over ourselves to save us from any grievous fall into sin.

O God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The procession moves out of the city gate towards the barren land to the west of the city. It was downhill towards the Valley of Tyropeon. Jesus was unsteady on his feet and the soldiers were pushing, wanting to get this job done.

Along the way the crowd shifted some, most of those watching were women. It was the Passover vigil, the men had to get the lambs to the Temple before three in the afternoon for slaughter while the Roman soldiers led the "lamb of God" to slaughter.

Jesus is exhausted, trembling under the weight of the cross. Suddenly, he buckles and falls face down in the mud, the cross upon him, his wounds ripped open.

The soldiers are upon him in an instant, pulling him roughly and painfully to his feet. Within seconds the procession is moving again.