THEOSISJerome of Stridon
The twenty-seventh station symbolizes connections or disciplines, urging us to quicken our steps toward our teachers, to frequently visit their abodes, and to regard the commandments of virtues and the mysteries of Scripture as everlasting bonds for ourselves. As Isaiah expresses, "And the high men of hosts shall come to thee, and they shall be servants to thee, and they shall go in thy wake bound with hand ties" (Isa. 45:14). Similarly, the apostle Paul refers to himself as "I, Paul, the bondsman of Jesus Christ" (Eph. 3:1).
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Scripture mentions two types of bonds: the first is the bond that Samson broke to defeat his adversaries (Judges 16), exemplified in the words about the harlot: "bonds in her hand" (Ecclesiastes 7:27), and it is stated by the Lord: "Let us break their bonds and cast off their yoke from us" (Psalm 2:3). Additionally, it says, "the net shall be broken and we shall be delivered" (Psalm 123:7). However, the bonds of Christ are willingly embraced, transforming into loving connections. The one bound by these bonds will proclaim, "His left hand is under my head, and His right hand shall embrace me" (Song of Songs 2:6).