TWELFTH STATION
JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

From the Gospel according to John – Chapter 19.
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 rear the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.
From the Gospel according to Matthew – Chapter 27.
Now from the sixth our there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 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 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
In Greek and Latin, the two international languages of the time, and in Hebrew, the language of the Chosen People, a sign stood above the cross of Jesus, indicating who he was: the King of the Jews, the promised Son of David. Pilate, the unjust judge, became a prophet despite himself. The kingship of Jesus was proclaimed before all the world…He is indeed king of the world. Now he is truly “lifted up.” In sinking to the depths, he rose to the heights. Now he has radically fulfilled the commandment of love; he has completed the offering of himself, and in this way he is now the revelation of the true God, the God who is love. Now we know who God is…The cross of Jesus is a cosmic event. The world is darkened when the Son of God is given up to death. The earth trembles. And on the cross, the Church of the Gentiles is born. The Roman centurion understands this and acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God. From the cross he triumphs – ever anew.

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 humanity, 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.

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.

Stabat Mater: Let me mingle tears with you, mourning him who mourned for me, all the days that I may live.