Twelfth Station of the Cross

Jesus dies on the cross 

   Death by crucifixion is caused by asphyxiation.  When the body slumps down the diaphragm is constricted making it difficult to breathe.  Pushing up to allow a breath meant pulling against both the nails in the hands and those driven through the feet.  In many cases the shoulders and elbows became disjointed which left pushing up from the feet as the only option.  At some point there was not enough strength left to push up against the nails again and breathing became impossible.

   It had been three hours since our Lord was nailed to the cross.  During those hours He endured terrible pain.  As bad as the physical pain was perhaps the pain of being deserted by His apostles.  The only one who had stayed the course was John, the beloved disciple.  He stood at the foot of the cross with the Blessed Mother watching His agony.

   Jesus looked at Mary and John at the foot of the cross and said, “Woman, behold, your son!’  Then he said to the apostle, ‘Behold, your mother!”  (John 19: 27).  By doing so He gave His Blessed Mother to be the Mother His Church and all who believe.  Mary is the spiritual mother of every Christian, making each of us brother and sister to her blessed son, Jesus.  Mary was present at every moment of Jesus’ life, and she is still present at every moment in the life of the Church.

   Finally, He succumbed, His last words as he sipped the sour wine offered on a hyssop branch were, “It is finished.” (John 19: 30).  Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.  “And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Matt 27: 51).  Our Lord passed behind the veil and entered the true Holy of Holies.

   As we draw nearer to the glory and majesty of Easter let us never forget the price our Lord paid to give us access to the Father’s heavenly kingdom.