THE SEVENTH STATION.  Jesus falls the second time

It is not the stone beneath the foot,
nor the rope that pulls too sharply,
it is the soul that suddenly stumbles.
O middle of our lives!
O voluntary fall!
When love no longer has a center,
faith no longer a foundation,
because the road is long
and the end is far away;
because you are alone
and there is no consolation.

Continue to STATION VIII

Art by Joan Brand-Landkamer.  Meditations by Paul Claudel.
Photos (c) St. James Cathedral, 2010.  All rights reserved.