R. Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum. [Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.]
Pope John Paul II
From the Gospel according to Mark. 15:33-34, 37, 39
And when the sixth hour had come there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice: “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means: ”My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. When the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that he thus breathed his last, he said: “Truly this man was the Son of God”.
MEDITATION
Aimé Morot, Martyrdom of Jesus of Nazareth (1883) |
They do indeed embrace it.
Here is the man. Here is God himself. “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). In him: in those arms outstretched along the transverse beam of the Cross.
The mystery of the Redemption.
Nailed to the Cross, pinned in that terrible position, Jesus calls on the Father (cf. Mk 15:34; Mt 27:46; Lk 23:46). All his words bear witness that he is one with the Father. “I and the Father are one” (Jn 10:30); “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9); “My Father is working still, and I am working” (Jn 5:17).
ACCLAMATION
Son of God, remember us, at the hour of death. R. Kyrie, eleison.
Son of the Father, remember us, and by your Spirit renew the face of the earth. R. Kyrie, eleison.
Pope Benedict XVI
From the Gospel according to John 19:19-20:
Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the Cross; it read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews”. Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.From the Gospel according to Matthew 27:45-50,54:
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “This man is calling Elijah”. And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him”. And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit”. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe, and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
MEDITATION
Mathis Gothart Grünewald, Isenheim Altarpiece (1516) |
PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, at the hour of your death the sun was darkened. Ever anew you are being nailed to the Cross. At this present hour of history we are living in God’s darkness. Through your great sufferings and the wickedness of men, the face of God, your face, seems obscured, unrecognizable. And yet, on the Cross, you have revealed yourself. Precisely by being the one who suffers and loves, you are exalted. From the Cross on high you have triumphed. Help us to recognize your face at this hour of darkness and tribulation. Help us to believe in you and to follow you in our hour of darkness and need. Show yourself once more to the world at this hour. Reveal to us your salvation.
Twelfth Station of the Cross (detail), Pfettisheim Saint Symphorian |
Fac me vere tecum flere,
Crucifixo condolore,
donec ego vixero.
Our Father, who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done
on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our Daily Bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Let my mingle tears with thee,
mourning Him who mourned for me,
all the days that I may live.
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