Visions of Hope
Reflections for Chronic Patients
Based on the Stations of the Cross
Eva Déli
Mark O'Malley
Glenn L. Monson (forward)
ISBN 9781725270039
eISBN 9781725269958
ASIN B089ZNW9BP
Prior to Lent in 2026 I went through the collection of Stations I had and found I had about 10 Stations I have never read or reviewed and made the commitment to try and make it through them over the 46 days Lent, and I as many as I have been reading, praying, and reviewing my way through the collection. This is one is one of the new ones I discovered while researching for reviews of other stations. I ordered it as picked it up as soon I saw it. This one is very different from the others. It is the first I have read not written by a catholic or published by a Catholic publisher. I was unaware of that when I picked it up. I have a few issues with it, it mentions Karma including trying to show karma in the New Testament. It speaks about and promotes yoga, which I have written about before. As I was reading, I thought I know a few people struggling with illness you might benefit from the long reflections on each station, my opinion had changed; I would not recommend it.
The description of this stations is:
“Growing evidence indicates that spiritual practices enhance personal resilience under challenging circumstances. Combining the wisdom of the Bible (stations) with modern considerations of positive psychology, Visions of Hope is a practical guide map for chronic patients. The symbolic framework of the stations of the cross serves in the examination and understanding of the challenging facets of chronic diseases, such as the trials of despair, suffering, and the hope of redemption. The book does not shy away from discussing the most difficult questions the reader might face, including the need to face death and what happens after we die. Original illustrations by the author, classic poetry, and quotes from the Bible and other religious and spiritual texts bring the content into a sharper focus for the reader in an aesthetically pleasing and meaningful volume. This is a book you will want to keep and share with family and friends throughout the disease process.”
About the authors we are informed:
“Eva Deli is an artist-scientist and author of the 2015 book, The Science of Consciousness, with an extensive background in cancer and consciousness research. Illustrations in this volume reflect her semi-abstract artwork, which can be found at evadeli.com. Mark O'Malley is a practicing physician with over forty years of medical experience. The book's up-to-date and comprehensive overview of chronic disease management reflects his generous contribution.”
and
“Glenn Monson is an active pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He received his MDiv from Luther-Northwestern Theo. Seminary, St. Paul, MN in 1991, and his DMin in Preaching from the Lutheran School of Theo. at Chicago in 2003. His blog, Law and Gospel Everywhere, and his first book, Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted, have been used by pastors globally, seeking a clearer understanding of Law and Gospel preaching. His collection of devotions, Quarantining With God, was written for congregational members during the first year of the corona virus pandemic.”
and
“Mark O'Malley is a practicing physician with over forty years of medical experience. The book's up-to-date and comprehensive overview of chronic disease management reflects his generous contribution.”
The chapters and sections in this book are:
List of Poetry
Foreword by Glenn L. Monson
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Station I: Jesus Is Condemned
Station II: Jesus Takes up His Cross
The Power of Acceptance
Station III: Jesus Falls for the First Time
Diet, Exercise and the Mind-body Connection
Station IV: Jesus Meets His Mother
Station V: Simon the Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross
The Varied Effects of Stress
Station VI: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Cultivating Your Spirituality
Station VII: Jesus Falls the Second Time
Pain
Depression
Station VIII: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Trust in Your Closeness to God
Station IX: Jesus Falls for the Third Time
Overcoming the Fear of Death
Station X: Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
Station XI: Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
Station XII: Jesus Dies On the Cross
Prayer
Station XIII: Jesus Is Taken Down From the Cross
Station XIV: Jesus Is Placed in the Tomb
Questions of Afterlife
Station XV: Hope
Spontaneous Remission
Afterword
Bibliography
Resources
A stations are on average 6 pages and as seen by the contents some have supplemental articles or essays. The art work is excellent, I believe they are woodcuts. Though the author mentions in the forward having done a series of paper mache projects for the stations.
A few quotes I highlighted were:
“Following the Second World War, a better understanding of human physiology, the discovery of DNA, vaccinations, and other breakthrough research led to optimism and belief in the power of modern medicine. The appearance of novel diseases, such as AIDS, SARS, ebola, and others, has poured cold water on that optimism. Although chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and surgery substantially extended the survival of cancer patients, the complexity of the underlying mechanisms has made progress in treatment more challenging than initially thought.
“The Stations of the Cross are a Christian tradition about Jesus’ last hours of humiliation and horrendous suffering before his execution on Golgotha. This was in 2005; I had just completed a paper collage series on the Stations. In light of my friend’s declining health, the haunting images of the Stations acquired a new meaning of the tortuous trajectory of chronic diseases. My motivation to present the Stations in a book form was solidified ten years later, after watching my mother’s health slowly decline and succumb to multiple myeloma, a type of cancer.”
“Jesus suffers three increasingly difficult falls on his route to crucifixion. Each fall symbolizes his increasing weariness, pain, and dependence on others. The first fall represents the confused, disoriented state following diagnosis and its initial setbacks. The second fall is the depression and discouragement brought about by the side effects of chemotherapy, surgery, etc. and their toll on the human body. This includes the sequelae of the disease, such as secondary tumors, infections, and the associated stress, depression, and other problems. The third fall symbolizes the physical and mental exhaustion that precedes the acceptance of death.”
“The last station, not part of the original series, is hope. Hope is inherent in every human being and even in every living creature. Life, especially for those with chronic disease, withers without sustaining inspiration.”
“Such contemplations reflect the intuitive belief in karma, which implies that our life represents the visible surface of some deeper forces. In Eastern philosophy, karma, the idea that the intent and actions of an individual (cause) influence the future of that individual (effect), is a crucial concept.
In the Gospels, several examples refer to karma, such as Galatians 6:7 (NIV). Luke 8:17 writes, “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed; nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” While many illnesses can be blamed on heredity or environmental factors, most often, these investigations remain futile. Getting through the first painful shock of being face-to-face with death triggers a change of habits and beliefs; it forces a reevaluation of relationships and a way of life.”
“Meditation and Yoga practice: Meditation is a prime example of controlling one’s thoughts to create emotional neutrality and equanimity.”
“Breathing, an integral part of yoga practice and meditation, can relax and detoxify the body. Yoga is an Eastern spiritual practice that aims to create a sense of inner union through physical postures and proper breathing. The in and out rhythm of breath is a very familiar activity, which can become meditative, calming, and relaxing. Conscious breathing sends impulses from the cortex, which has an impact on emotions.”
I began Lent in 2026 with 10 Stations I had not prayed. This marks the twenty-fourth new stations I have worked through. Most of the rest get 5/5 Stras, a few got 4/5 stars. This one ended up on the ‘did not finish pile’. Because of the concerns highlighted above I give up part way into the 8th station.
I cannot in good conscience recommend this volume. I was really looking forward to it and even saved it to read on Good Friday. I was disappointed.
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