Good Friday reflections

Each year hundreds of people carry the message of peace and justice across the heart of New York on Good Friday. For many years Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship has sponsored one of the Stations of the Cross, this year #11, which shows Jesus being nailed to the cross.

2013 Good Friday Station 11: Mark 15:22-24
“One scene is engraved in my memory. Witnesses’ tears reflected the police lights as the young man [lay] on the ground. His eyes grew big; he had a piercing stare; it was like he could see into my soul. I placed my hand on his chest, and it felt as if I could grab his heart. His heart was pounding. I told him everything would be all right. The ambulance arrived, and we all stepped back. His mother’s wails made my spine crawl. Later, young people gathered to place flowers and candles where their friend had been killed … in the past 13 years. I’ve witnessed five incidents of gun violence and been to many more funerals.”—Jesus Gonzalez (Jan. 30), retrieved from www.wnyc.org/shows/rookies/blogs/rookies-blog/2013/jan/30/op-ed-gun-city/

Gun violence is an intense reality not only in Newtown, Conn., but here in New York City as well. This story belongs to Jesus Gonzalez, an activist and community organizer living in Bushwick (Brooklyn, N.Y., neighborhood). His is just one story of many victims of gun violence in this city.

Jesus our Lord was nailed to the cross. Imagine the trauma and pain Mary went through watching her son nailed to the cross. Imagine that same trauma and pain etched in a mother’s face as she watches her child fall victim to gun violence. Imagine the community’s response: a mix of grief and acceptance. This is just another day in the neighborhood.

Writers of the reflection and prayer are participants in the New York City unit of Mennonite Voluntary Service, Katie Penner from Vineland, Ontario, and Allison Schrag from Newton, Kan. On Good Friday, March 29, they planned to read this reflection and lead the prayers at Station 11 in Times Square, around 11 a.m.

Prayers of the faithful

Today, we pray for the victims of gun violence in our city and that their suffering can bring about change. Together we pray,
God, grant us peace. Heal our broken hearts with your love.
Today, we pray for comfort and healing for the communities torn apart by violence. Together we pray,
God, grant us peace. Heal our broken hearts with your love.
Today, we pray for wisdom for the politicians and
activists advocating for stricter gun regulations.
Together we pray,
God, grant us peace. Heal our broken hearts with your love.
Today, we pray for change to come to this place.
Together we pray,
God, grant us peace. Heal our broken hearts with your love.