The stations of the cross

My brother, Tommy, came to visit me in Bogota & Medellin. (We Will dive into some of our adventures later,) but given the season I wanted to focus on the stations of the cross that we witnessed up on a mountain in Bogota that was called: Monserrate.

I have always known there to be 12 stations of the cross but more commonly they are categorized into 14. Tommy and I were both blown away at the beautiful mountains surrounding the sculptures, yet another testament to how Jesus purifies the most horrible actions with his life. I chose to begin and end with the same image that focuses on his resurrection which is way more uplifting than the sacrifice he endured for us.

Jesus is condemned to death by Pontius Pilate

Jesús es condenado a muerte por Poncio Pilato

Jesus takes up his Cross

Jesús toma Su Cruz

Jesus falls for the first time

Jesús cae por la primera vez

The Virgin Mary meets Jesus

Jesús encuentra a Su Santa Madre

Simon of Cyrene is made to help Jesus bear the Cross

Simón el Cirineo ayuda a Jesús a cargar la Cruz

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Santa Verónica limpia el Rostro de Jesús

Jesus falls for the second time

Jesús cae de nuevo bajo el peso de la Cruz 

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Jesús conforta a las mujeres de Jerusalén

Jesus falls for the third time

Jesús cae una vez más bajo el peso de la Cruz

Jesus is stripped of his garments

Jesús es despojado de Sus Vestiduras

Jesus is crucified

Jesús es clavado en la Cruz

Jesus' 7 phrases on the cross:

1. Luke 23:34: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
2. Luke 23:43: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."
3. John 19:26–27: "Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother."
4. Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34 "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
5. John 19:28: "I thirst."
6. John 19:30: "It is finished." (also translated "It is accomplished", or "It is complete".)
7. Luke 23:46: "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit."

"Padre, perdónalos, porque no saben lo que hacen." (Lucas, 23: 34).

"Yo te aseguro: hoy estarás conmigo en el Paraíso." (Lucas, 23: 43).

"Mujer, ahí tienes a tu hijo. [...] Ahí tienes a tu madre." (Juan, 19: 26-27).

"¡Dios mío, Dios mío!, ¿por qué me has abandonado?" (Mateo, 27: 46 y Marcos, 15: 34).

"Tengo sed." (Juan, 19: 28).

"Todo está cumplido." (Juan, 19: 30).

"Padre, en tus manos encomiendo mi espíritu." (Lucas, 23: 46).

This phrase really captured my attention this season. everything he said had such significance yet this is deeper than just his pain or that state he was in. Jesus is our living water. May we all thirst for his essence more in the future.

Jesus dies on the cross

Jesús muere en la Cruz

Jesus is taken down from the Cross and laid in the arms of Mary

Jesús es bajado de la Cruz y puesto en los brazos de María

Jesus is laid in the tomb

Jesús es colocado en el Sepulcro

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where christ is seated at the right hand of God." Col. 3:1.  

It Takes a Village

While I was in Guatemala, I went back to visit my family on Lago Atitlan again. During my stay, I was lucky enough to be there for Fifi's birthday (who is Mamá Sandra's youngest sister pictured at the top of the stairs.)

When I was there, I was reminded of the African proverb: "It Takes a Village to raise a child." In Latino culture, it is very customary for the grandmothers or extended family to completely assume caregiving roles for the baby while the mothers & fathers are working. Every other day momma Sandra would go over to her niece's house to help bath & care for the baby.  

Mamá Sandra is closest to the camera on the right holding her niece's baby. 

Papa Luc & Mamá Sandra with her mother

Over the last couple of years I have been privileged enough to experience Easter, village festivals, weddings, confirmations and birthday parties. A lot of the times (but not always) the men and the women are separated during the parties. 

Although I am ready for my new normal in the U.S, I will miss the culture of strolling arm & arm with friends and family. I will also miss the slower pace of life. I know I will always return back to this tesoro.