Prayer

a) Reflection on God’s Word:

“One of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying: ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’ But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying: ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said to Jesus: ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him: ‘Amen, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” (Lk 23:39-43)

a) Reflection on God’s Word:

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother… When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother: ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then He said to the disciple: ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple received her into himself.” (Jn 19:25-27)

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother…” She sees Him crucified, tortured, His whole body covered in wounds. The crown of thorns in particular causes Him excruciating pain. Pressed into His head, the sharp thorns pierce the scalp and cause copious bleeding.

a) Reflection on God’s Word:

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said: ‘I thirst!’ A vessel full of sour wine was standing there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.” (Jn 19:28-29)

Jesus is hanging on the cross. He thirsts. Cruel flogging has lacerated His holy body and He has lost a lot of blood. The whip consisted of three braided leather thongs with metal balls.

a) Reflection on God’s Word:

“At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice: ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachtha-ni?’ which means, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” (Mk 15:34)

Jesus is dying on the cross. His body is covered in wounds and bruises, the skin is wet with cold, clammy sweat. He cannot find any position which would allow Him at least some relief. The nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the large median nerve, and the severely damaged nerve causes excruciating pain.

a) Reflection on God’s Word:

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said: ‘It is finished!’” (Jn 19:30)

Jesus’ arms become fatigued, they are losing strength. Great waves of cramps sweep through the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. The muscles of the chest are paralyzed and unable to act –cycles of suffocation and agony begin. Jesus fights to get even one short breath. He feels a deep crushing pain in the chest. The pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart, slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart whereby it restricts its movements.

a) Reflection on God’s Word:

“It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said: ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!’ And having said this He breathed His last.” (Lk 23:44-46)

“… the earth was shaken, and the rocks were rent… 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!’” (Mt 27:51.54)