First Station - Jesus is condemned to death

Jesus is sentenced to death. Under pressure from the crowd, and afraid of losing his power, Pilate delivers up He who is Truth incarnate to the cruelty of the executioners.

Today, we contemplate this station through the witness of the 21 Coptic Christians who were condemned to die because of hatred for that same name they had on their lips up until their last breath: Jesus. With their hands bound, they were led like lambs to the slaughter; they accepted their fate with the peace of those who know that their victory is not of this world. In their martyrdom, we recognise the sacrifice of Christ: innocent, delivered up because of hate, but triumphant in love.

They were murdered in January 2015, in Libya, where they had gone to work to support their families. Their executioners, terrorist members of the Islamic State, broadcast their cruel execution by the seashore. With their dying breath, they invoked the name of Jesus, in an indelible witness of faith and courage. 
 

Twenty of them were Egyptian Copts. The 21st Martyr, identified as Matthew Ayariga, from Ghana, witnessing the faith of his companions, and knowing that it would cost him his life, when the terrorists asked him to renounce Jesus he replied: “Their God is my God.”

Prayer

The sacrifice of the Coptic martyrs reminds us that following Christ implies total self-giving, even unto death, and challenges us to live our faith with firmness and love. Lord Jesus, you, who was unjustly condemned, accompany and strengthen those who suffer persecution or discrimination for your name today. May the witness of these martyrs inspire us to live our faith in fidelity and to fearlessly proclaim your name throughout the world.