More Weeds in the Church

Via Crucis (The Way of the Cross) composed by Cardinal Ratzinger, March 25, 2005, Good Friday

9th Station of the Cross: Our Lord falls the Third Time:

http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2005/via_crucis/en/station_09.html

Meditation:
How much filth there is in the Church, and even among those who, in the priesthood, ought to belong entirely to him!


Prayer:
Lord, Thy Church often seems like a boat about to sink, a boat taking in water on every side. In Thy field we see more weeds than wheat. The soiled garments and face of Thy Church throw us into confusion. Yet it is we ourselves who have soiled them! It is we who betray Thee time and time again, after all our lofty words and grand gestures. Have mercy on Thy Church; within Her too, Adam continues to fall. When we fall, we drag Thee down to earth, and Satan laughs, for he hopes that Thou will not be able to rise from that fall; he hopes that being dragged down in the fall of Thy Church, Thou will remain prostrate and overpowered. But Thou will rise again. Thou stood up, Thou arose and Thou can also raise us up. Save and sanctify Thy Church. Save and sanctify us all.

http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2005/documents/ns_lit_doc_20050325_via-crucis_en.html