the crucifixion and death of our lord

For Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, the throne of triumph is ready. You and I do not see him writhe on being nailed. Suffering all that can be suffered, he spreads his arms in the gesture of an eternal Priest . . .

The soldiers take his holy garments and divide them into four parts. In order not to tear the tunic, they cast lots to decide whose it shall be. And so, once more, the words of Scripture are fulfilled: “They parted my garments among them, and for my clothes they cast lots” (John 19:23-24).

Now he is on high . . . And close to her Son, at the foot of the Cross, stand Mary . . . and Mary, the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. And John, the disciple Jesus loved. Ecce Mater tua: “Behold your mother”: he gives us his Mother to be ours.

Earlier they had offered him wine mixed with vinegar, and when he had tasted it, he would not drink it (Matthew 27:34).

Now he thirsts . . . for love, for souls.

Consummatum est: “It is accomplished” (John 19:30).

Foolish child, look: all this . . . He has suffered it all for you . . .. And for me. Can you keep from crying?