The Thirteenth 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.

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last. (Luke 23: 44-46)

Reflection

As Jesus remained a person of nonviolence, violence took him to his death. He loses all things that the world valued: power, control, wealth, health, and social status. As these were stripped away from him, Jesus is still a person of great freedom, compassionate love, and divine power. In his time, people did not fully understand what was happening. By Jesus uniting with those who suffer; even they could see a man crying out for justice.

What can we do as followers of Christ? We may not always see the injustices around us because they do not directly impact us. This could be because of the color of our skin, the privilege we were awarded because of our ancestors, our location, our social status, or simply because we have benefited from society’s broken systems. We are called to step back and, just as Jesus cried out for justice, use our voice to do the same.

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.

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