Palm Cross - Photo copyright 2012 John M. Kingery
Station 9: Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments (Social Security Administration)
Theme: The role of government is to protect human dignity and promote the common good
Tema: El papel del gobierno es proteger la dignidad humana y promover el bien común
Scripture: John 19: 23-24
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be,” in order that the passage of scripture might be fulfilled (that says): “They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots.”
Reflection by Mission of Atonement Church: Social Security provides a basic “floor” of security for workers, their families, and persons with disabilities. Our Christian commitment to each other is expressed through our individual and common actions.
The Social Security program expresses our national solidarity and how all people’s lives—especially those of average- and low-wage workers and their families—are enhanced or diminished.
People of good will must support a social contract that reflects our enduring commitment to those in our community and nation, as members of one human family.
Prayers: We give thanks for the insight that we may not need all the clothes that we have; we are able to give our second coat to someone who has none.
WE THANK YOU, LORD
Petitions: Let us pray that we recognize those times when what we might say or might do could strip another person of their dignity or worth.
O GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER
We will build others up, rather than tear them down.
O LORD, WE WANT TO WALK IN YOUR WAYS