I finally
made up my mind to join the way of the cross - It’s not during the Holy Week
that I should go for easy choices. The prayer started and I could hear the
song ‘Oh! The one who brought victory by dying on the cross’ and I started
walking towards the group.
We
progressed slowly, singing to the next station. The song was sung at least
three to four times before we reached the next station since each station was
arranged at least a quarter kilometer apart. By the time we reached the seventh
station, my legs had started aching. This was not easy - I began
doubting whether I made a wise decision to go for a long way of the cross on
the day of fasting. We reached the tenth station and the road was still level.
The way of the cross was supposed to be up a hill. I was starting to feel a bit
cheated since I could not see any hill nearby.
The road
soon reached a steep climb uphill. The climb was so steep that I had to support
myself by pushing against my knees with my palm. The steeper the road became,
the lower went my confidence. Soon the road ended. I looked up and saw a very
steep climb covered with big rocks and loose debris. The main singers were
progressing forward singing as energetically as before, but I gasped for
breath. I brought my gaze down from the steep hill to my feet and took my first
step to climb. After that I never looked up. But just kept climbing up, searching
for the next best rock to place my foot. Gasping and panting I reached the top
of the hill and there, stood the big Cross - The sign of the greatest victory
ever. The cool breeze brushed past soothing me and I felt a sense of quite and
peace. After the final blessing we began the climb downhill. I was quiet
worried about the steep hill as the climb down could be very tricky and
dangerous especially for an amateur trekker like me. Again, I proceeded –one
step at a time.
Within no
time I reached the road and I was amazed that I made it without much problem
and slowly began trotting down the steep road. Suddenly it occurred, life’s
problems too had seemed overwhelming to me. I had stood frozen at the foothill
of problems seeing the big hard climb. But I also remembered with gratitude the
first step I took in faith with grace of God and people who lend a helping hand
wherever I stumbled - Friends, well -wishers, men of prayer and everybody who
was there to ensure that I completed the climb. Time quickly passed and I never
realized that I had already started the journey downhill. The journey was still
hard but the gentle helping hands were still there to guide me.
I woke up
from my thoughts with a soothing thought that, I am on my journey downhill –
not just literally but I believed it by faith since I knew that the ‘Journey’
was not yet over. My slow steps gently gathered momentum and I began to run.
Yes, I am on my journey downhill. I pressed my eyes hard since I did not want
anyone to see my tears - I have left the ‘Hill’ behind and will soon reach the
quite road Home.
The hot
dry evening was coming to an end and the sky prepared for the soothing Good
Friday drizzle.