Thirteenth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross
[I]n order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, …the Jews asked Pilate that they be taken down…[W]hen [the soldiers] came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. John 19: 28-34
We pray:
Lord Jesus, we can only look with wonder at this moment that changes all of history and changes us, this moment of our salvation. At the sight of Your Body tortured and pierced for us, we see clearly that redemption is not a business transaction (sins in exchange for prayers and penance) but the result of love that, in immolating itself wholly, transforms darkness into light, hate to love, selfishness into gift. The altar of the Cross defines God for us, and redefines Love. In contemplating this moment, we come to understand that You will spare nothing to bring us to the radiance for which we are created. We begin to see more clearly that our own activity must be united to Your one saving action. At every Mass, we are here at this moment anew, and as the drop of water poured into the chalice is completely absorbed into the Blood of Christ and transformed, so our own ordinary offerings are transformed within the Chalice of Your heart by your immense love to become something worthy of the Father.
All:
Lord, You are always reaching down to us, offering Yourself to us wholly, and these open arms, this love, is only revealed to most people through our own open arms. We must be Christ to others. This is our own inescapable role in the revelation of love. Your heart transformed acts of malice and hate into moments of grace and the victory of love; renew our hearts with Your love, so that we can continue this transformation in the world.
May we come to know through this apparent defeat, as the last drops of blood and water pour out from Your Heart onto the ground, that Love has the final victory. Love gives all.
