Way of the Cross: A holy walk

The journey Jesus made through Jerusalem on his way to his crucifixion -- and his resurrection -- will be commemorated in a special way today in downtown Cape Girardeau.

For the ninth year, walkers will follow a 2.5-mile path along city streets, stopping 14 times for Scripture readings and prayer. The event is called the Way of the Cross and includes Christians from all denominations.

Today's Way of the Cross starts at 12:15 p.m. at Old St. Vincent's Church. Organizers of the event call it a devotional journey on one of the Holy Week days that lead up to the Easter celebration of Jesus' triumph over death, resurrection and sacrifice for the sins of the world.

There will other Good Friday services today in addition to the Way of the Cross. Churches will be observing special liturgies and prayer services to commemorate the day Jesus was put on a cross to die.

For Christians, Easter is the most important event of the church year, celebrating God's power to overcome evil on behalf of all believers. The special services throughout Holy Week remind Christians of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah.

Today's Way of the Cross walk is one way to remember those important events in the lives of those who follow Jesus as their Savior.

It also brings together Christians who, in their diverse ways, remember the common reason they are Christians.

Among the many prayers that will be offered on this Good Friday:

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.