WAYOFTHECROSSATTHECOLOSSEUM

GOODFRIDAY2005

MEDITATIONSANDPRAYERSBYJOSEPHCARDINALRATZINGER

FIRSTSTATION

Jesusiscondemnedtodeath

FromtheGospelaccordingtoMatthew27:22-23,26

Pilatesaidtothem,“ThenwhatshouldIdowithJesuswhoiscalledtheMessiah?”Allofthemsaid,“Lethimbecrucified!”Thenheasked,“Why,whatevilhashedone?”Buttheyshoutedallthemore,“Lethimbecrucified!”SohereleasedBarabbasforthem;andafterfloggingJesus,hehandedhimovertobecrucified.

MEDITATION

TheJudgeoftheworld,whowillcomeagaintojudgeusall,standsthere,dishonoredanddefenseless before the earthly judge. Pilate is not utterly evil. He knows that thecondemnedmanis innocent,andhe looks forawayto freehim.Buthisheart isdivided.Andintheendheletshisownposition,hisownself-interest,prevailoverwhatisright.NorarethemenwhoareshoutinganddemandingthedeathofJesusutterlyevil.Manyofthem,onthedayofPentecost,willfeel“cuttotheheart”(Acts2:37),whenPeterwillsaytothem:“JesusofNazareth,amanattestedtoyoubyGod...youcrucifiedandkilledbythehandsofthoseoutsidethelaw”(Acts2:22ff.).Butatthatmomenttheyarecaughtupinthecrowd.Theyareshoutingbecauseeveryoneelseisshouting,andtheyareshoutingthesamethingthateveryoneelseisshouting.Andinthisway,justiceistrampledunderfootbyweakness,cowardice and fear of the diktat of the rulingmindset. The quiet voice of conscience isdrownedoutbythecriesofthecrowd.Evildrawsitspowerfromindecisionandconcernforwhatotherpeoplethink.

PRAYER

Lord, you were condemned to death because fear of what other people may thinksuppressed thevoiceofconscience.So too, throughouthistory, the innocenthavealwaysbeen maltreated, condemned and killed. How many times have we ourselves preferredsuccesstothetruth,ourreputationtojustice?Strengthenthequietvoiceofourconscience,yourownvoice, inour lives.Lookatmeasyou lookedatPeterafterhisdenial.Letyourgaze penetrate our hearts and indicate the direction our livesmust take. On the day ofPentecost you stirred theheartsof thosewho,onGoodFriday, clamored foryourdeath,andyoubroughtthemtoconversion.Inthiswayyougavehopetoall.Grantus,everanew,thegraceofconversion.

SECONDSTATION

JesustakesuphisCross

FromtheGospelaccordingtoMatthew.27:27-31

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and theygatheredthewholecohortaroundhim.Theystrippedhimandputascarletrobeonhim,andaftertwistingsomethornsintoacrown,theyputitonhishead.Theyputareedinhisrighthandandkneltbeforehimandmockedhim,saying,“Hail,KingoftheJews!”Theyspatonhim,andtookthereedandstruckhimonthehead. Aftermockinghim,theystrippedhimoftherobeandputhisownclothesonhim.Thentheyledhimawaytocrucifyhim.

MEDITATION

Jesus,condemnedasanimposterking,ismocked,butthisverymockerylaysbareapainfultruth. How often are the symbols of power, borne by the great ones of this world, anaffronttotruth,tojusticeandtothedignityofman!Howmanytimesaretheirpompsandtheir loftywordsnothingbutgrandiose lies,aparodyof theirsolemnobligation toservethecommongood!ItisbecauseJesusismockedandwearsthecrownofsufferingthatheappears as the trueKing. His sceptre is justice (cf. Ps45:7). Thepriceof justice in thisworldissuffering:Jesus,thetrueKing,doesnotreignthroughviolence,butthroughalovewhich suffers for us andwith us. He takes up theCross, our cross, the burdenof beinghuman, theburdenof theworld. Andsohegoesbeforeusandpointsout tous thewaywhichleadstotruelife.

PRAYER

Lord,youwillinglysubjectedyourselftomockeryandscorn.Helpusnottoallyourselveswiththosewholookdownontheweakandsuffering.Helpustoacknowledgeyourfaceinthelowlyandtheoutcast.Mayweneverloseheartwhenfacedwiththecontemptofthisworld,whichridiculesourobediencetoyourwill.YoucarriedyourownCrossandyouaskustofollowyouonthispath(cf.Mt10:38).HelpustotakeuptheCross,andnottoshunit.Maywenevercomplainorbecomediscouragedbylife’strials.Helpustofollowthepathofloveand,insubmittingtoitsdemands,tofindtruejoy.

THIRDSTATION

Jesusfallsforthefirsttime

FromtheBookoftheProphetIsaiah.53:4-6:Surelyhehasbornourgrievesandcarriedoursorrows;yetweesteemedhimstricken,smittenbyGod,andafflicted.Buthewaswoundedforour transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon himwas the chastisement thatmadeuswhole, andwithhis stripeswearehealed.Allwe like sheephavegoneastray;wehaveturnedeveryonetohisownway;andtheLordhaslaidonhimtheiniquityofusall.

MEDITATION:Manhas fallen, and he continues to fall: often he becomes a caricature ofhimself,nolongertheimageofGod,butamockeryoftheCreator.Isnotthemanwho,onthewayfromJerusalemtoJericho,fellamongrobberswhostrippedhimandlefthimhalf-dead and bleeding beside the road, the image of humanity par excellence? Jesus’ fallbeneaththeCrossisnotjustthefallofthemanJesus,exhaustedfromhisscourging.Thereis amore profoundmeaning in this fall, as Paul tells us in the Letter to the Philippians:“thoughhewasintheformofGod,hedidnotcountequalitywithGodathingtobegrasped,butemptiedhimself, taking the formofaservant,beingborn in the likenessofmen...Hehumbledhimselfandbecameobedientuntodeath,evendeathonaCross”(Phil2:6-8).InJesus’ fall beneath the weight of the Cross, the meaning of his whole life is seen: hisvoluntary abasement, which lifts us up from the depths of our pride. The nature of ourprideisalsorevealed: it isthatarrogancewhichmakesuswanttobeliberatedfromGodand leftalone toourselves, thearrogancewhichmakesus think thatwedonotneedhiseternallove,butcanbethemastersofourownlives.Inthisrebellionagainsttruth,inthisattempt to be our own god, creator and judge, we fall headlong and plunge into self-destruction.ThehumilityofJesusisthesurmountingofourpride;byhisabasementheliftsusup.Letusallowhimtoliftusup.Letusstripawayoursenseofself-sufficiency,ourfalseillusionsof independence,andlearnfromhim,theOnewhohumbledhimself,todiscoverourtruegreatnessbybendinglowbeforeGodandbeforeourdowntroddenbrothersandsisters.

PRAYER

LordJesus,theweightofthecrossmadeyoufalltotheground.Theweightofoursin,theweight of our pride, brought you down. But your fall is not a tragedy, or mere humanweakness.Youcametouswhen,inourpride,wewerelaidlow.Thearrogancethatmakesus think that we ourselves can create human beings has turned man into a kind ofmerchandise, to be bought and sold, or stored to provide parts for experimentation. Indoingthis,wehopetoconquerdeathbyourownefforts,yetinrealityweareprofoundlydebasinghumandignity.Lordhelpus;wehavefallen.Helpustoabandonourdestructiveprideand,bylearningfromyourhumility,toriseagain.

FOURTHSTATION

JesusmeetshisMother

FromtheGospelaccordingtoLuke.2:34-35,51

Simon blessed them and said toMary hismother: “Behold, this child is set for the fall andrisingofmanyinIsrael,andforasignthatisspokenagainst(andaswordwillpiercethroughyourownsoulalso),thatthoughtsoutofmanyheartsmayberevealed”.Andhismotherkeptallthesethingsinherheart.

MEDITATION

OnJesus’WayoftheCross,wealsofindMary,hisMother.Duringhispubliclifeshehadtostepaside,tomakeplaceforthebirthofJesus’newfamily,thefamilyofhisdisciples.Shealsohadtohearthewords:“Whoismymotherandwhoaremybrothers?...WhoeverdoesthewillofmyFatherinheavenisbrother,andsisterandmother”(Mt12:48-50).NowweseeherastheMotherof Jesus,notonlyphysically,butalso inherheart.Evenbeforesheconceivedhimbodily,throughherobediencesheconceivedhiminherheart.ItwassaidtoMary:“Andbehold,youwillconceiveinyourwombandbearason.HewillbegreatandtheLordGodwillgivetohimthethroneofhisfatherDavid”(Lk1:31ff.).Andshewouldhearfrom themouthof the elderly Simeon: “A swordwill pierce throughyourown soul” (Lk2:35). She would then recall the words of the prophets, words like these: “He wasoppressed,andhewasafflicted,yetheopenednothismouth;hewaslikealambthatisledtoslaughter” (Is54:7).Nowitall takesplace. Inherheartshehadkept thewordsof theangel,spokentoherinthebeginning:“Donotbeafraid,Mary”(Lk1:30).Thedisciplesfled,yet she did not flee. She stayed there, with a Mother’s courage, a Mother’s fidelity, aMother’sgoodness,andafaithwhichdidnotwaverinthehourofdarkness:“Blessedisshewhobelieved”(Lk1:45).“Nevertheless,whentheSonofmancomes,willhefindfaithonearth?”(Lk18:8).Yes,inthismomentJesusknows:hewillfindfaith.Inthishour,thisishisgreatconsolation.

PRAYER

HolyMary,Motherof theLord,youremainedfaithfulwhenthedisciples fled. Justasyoubelieved theangels incrediblemessage– thatyouwouldbecome theMotherof theMostHigh,sotooyoubelievedatthehourofhisgreatestabasement.Inthisway,atthehouroftheCross,atthehouroftheworld’sdarkestnight,youbecametheMotherofallbelievers,theMotherof theChurch.Webegyou: teachus tobelieve, andgrant that our faithmaybearfruitincourageousserviceandbethesignofaloveeverreadytosharesufferingandtoofferassistance.

FIFTHSTATION

TheCyrenianhelpsJesuscarrytheCross

FromtheGospelaccordingtoMatthew.27:32;16:24

Astheywentout,theycameuponamanofCyrene,Simonbyname;thismantheycompelledto carry his cross. Jesus told his disciples, “If anyman would come after me, let him denyhimselfandtakeuphiscrossandfollowme.

MEDITATION

SimonofCyrene isonhiswayhome,returning fromwork,whenhecomesuponthesadprocession of those condemned – for him, perhaps, itwas a common sight. The soldiersforce this rugged man from the country to carry the Cross on his own shoulders. Howannoyinghemusthavethoughtittobesuddenlycaughtupinthefateofthosecondemnedmen!Hedoeswhathemustdo,butreluctantly.Significantly,theEvangelistMarkdoesnotonly name him, but also his children, who were evidently known as Christians and asmembersof that community (cf.Mk15:21). From this chanceencounter, faithwasborn.TheCyrenian,walkingbesideJesusandsharingtheburdenoftheCross,cametoseethatitwasagracetobeabletoaccompanyhimtohiscrucifixionandtohelphim.ThemysteryofJesus,silentandsuffering,touchedhisheart.Jesus,whosedivinelovealonecanredeemallhumanity,wantsustosharehisCrosssothatwecancompletewhat isstill lackinginhissuffering(cf.Col1:24).Wheneverweshowkindness to thesuffering, thepersecutedanddefenseless,andshareintheirsufferings,wehelptocarrythatsameCrossofJesus.Inthiswayweobtainsalvation,andhelpcontributetothesalvationoftheworld.

PRAYER

Lord,youopenedtheeyesandheartofSimonofCyrene,andyougavehim,byhisshareinyour Cross, the grace of faith. Help us to aid our neighbors in need, even when thisinterfereswithourownplansanddesires.Helpustorealizethatitisagracetobeabletoshare the crossofothersand, in thisway,know thatwearewalkingwithyoualong theway.Helpustoappreciatewithjoythat,whenweshareinyoursufferingandthesufferingsofthisworld,webecomeservantsofsalvationandareabletohelpbuildupyourBody,theChurch.

SIXTHSTATION

VeronicawipesthefaceofJesus

FromtheBookoftheProphetIsaiah.53:2-3

Hehadnoformorcomelinessthatweshouldlookathim,andnobeautythatweshoulddesirehim.Hewasdespisedandrejectedbymen;amanofsorrows,andacquaintedwithgrief;andasonefromwhommenhidetheirfaceshewasdespised,andweesteemedhimnot.

FromtheBookofPsalms.27:8-9

Youhavesaid,“Seekmyface”.Myheartsaystoyou,“Yourface,Lord,doIseek”.Hidenotyourfacefromme.Turnnotyourservantawayinanger,youwhohavebeenmyhelp.Castmenotoff,forsakemenot,OGodofmysalvation.

MEDITATION

“Yourface,Lord,doIseek.Hidenotyourfacefromme”(Ps27:8-9).Veronica–Bernice,intheGreektradition–embodiestheuniversalyearningofthedevoutmenandwomenoftheOldTestament, the yearningof all believers to see the face ofGod.On Jesus’Wayof theCross,though,sheatfirstdidnothingmorethanperformanactofwomanlykindness:sheheld out a facecloth to Jesus. She did not let herself be deterred by the brutality of thesoldiersorthefearwhichgrippedthedisciples.Sheistheimageofthatgoodwoman,who,amid turmoil and dismay, shows the courage born of goodness and does not allow herhearttobebewildered.“Blessedarethepureinheart”,theLordhadsaidinhisSermonontheMount,“fortheyshallseeGod”(Mt5:8).Atfirst,Veronicasawonlyabuffetedandpain-filledface.YetheractofloveimpressedthetrueimageofJesusonherheart:onhishumanface,bloodiedandbruised,shesawthefaceofGodandhisgoodness,whichaccompaniesuseveninourdeepestsorrows.OnlywiththeheartcanweseeJesus.Onlylovepurifiesusandgivesustheabilitytosee.OnlyloveenablesustorecognizetheGodwhoisloveitself.

PRAYER

Lord,grantusrestlesshearts,heartswhichseekyourface.Keepusfromtheblindnessofheartwhichseesonlythesurfaceofthings.Giveusthesimplicityandpuritywhichallowustorecognizeyourpresenceintheworld.Whenwearenotabletoaccomplishgreatthings,grant us the couragewhich is born of humility and goodness. Impress your face on ourhearts.Mayweencounteryoualongthewayandshowyourimagetotheworld.

SEVENTHSTATION

Jesusfallsforthesecondtime

FromtheBookofLamentations.3:1-2,9,16

Iamthemanwhohasseenafflictionundertherodofhiswrath;hehasdrivenandbroughtmeintodarknesswithoutanylight.Hehasblockedmywaywithhewnstones,hehasmademypathscrooked.Hehasmademyteethgrindongravel,andmademecowerinashes.

MEDITATION

ThetraditionthatJesusfellthreetimesbeneaththeweightoftheCrossevokesthefallofAdam– the state of fallenhumanity – and themystery of Jesus’ own sharing in our fall.Throughouthistorythefallofmanconstantlytakesonnewforms.InhisFirstLetter,SaintJohnspeaksofathreefoldfall:lustoftheflesh,lustoftheeyesandtheprideoflife.Hethusinterpretsthefallofmanandhumanityagainstthebackdropofthevicesofhisowntime,withallitsexcessesandperversions.Butwecanalsothink,inmorerecenttimes,ofhowaChristianitywhichhasgrownwearyoffaithhasabandonedtheLord:thegreatideologies,andthebanalexistenceofthosewho,nolongerbelievinginanything,simplydriftthroughlife,havebuiltanewandworsepaganism,whichinitsattempttodoawaywithGodonceand forall,haveendedupdoingawaywithman.Andsoman lies fallen in thedust.TheLordbearsthisburdenandfalls,overandoveragain,inordertomeetus.Hegazesonus,hetouchesourhearts;hefallsinordertoraiseusup.

PRAYER

LordJesusChrist,youhaveborneallourburdensandyoucontinuetocarryus.Ourweighthasmadeyoufall.Liftusup,forbyourselveswecannotrisefromthedust.Freeusfromthebondsoflust.Inplaceofaheartofstone,giveusaheartofflesh,aheartcapableofseeing.Laylowthepowerofideologies,sothatallmayseethattheyareaweboflies.Donotletthewallofmaterialismbecomeinsurmountable.Makeusawareofyourpresence.Keepussoberandvigilant,capableofresistingtheforcesofevil.Helpustorecognizethespiritualandmaterialneedsofothers,and togive themthehelp theyneed.Liftusup, so thatwemayliftothersup.Giveushopeateverymomentofdarkness,sothatwemaybringyourhopetotheworld.

EIGHTHSTATION

JesusmeetsthewomenofJerusalemwhoweepforhim

FromtheGospelaccordingtoLuke.23:28-31

Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep foryourselvesandforyourchildren.Forbehold,thedaysarecomingwhentheywillsay,‘Blessedarethebarren,andthewombsthatneverbore,andthebreaststhatnevergavesuck!’Thentheywillbegintosaytothemountains,‘Fallonus’;andtothehills,‘Coverus’.Foriftheydothiswhenthewoodisgreen,whatwillhappenwhenitisdry?”

MEDITATION

HearingJesusreproachthewomenofJerusalemwhofollowhimandweepforhimoughttomake us reflect.How shouldwe understand hiswords?Are they not directed at a pietywhichispurelysentimental,onewhichfailstoleadtoconversionandlivingfaith?Itisnousetolamentthesufferingsofthisworldifourlifegoesonasusual.AndsotheLordwarnsusofthedangerinwhichwefindourselves.Heshowsusboththeseriousnessofsinandtheseriousnessofjudgment.Canitbethat,despiteallourexpressionsofconsternationinthefaceofevilandinnocentsuffering,wearealltoopreparedtotrivializethemysteryofevil?HaveweacceptedonlythegentlenessandloveofGodandJesus,andquietlysetasidethewordofjudgment?“HowcanGodbesoconcernedwithourweaknesses?”,wesay.“Weareonlyhuman!”YetaswecontemplatethesufferingsoftheSon,weseemoreclearlytheseriousnessofsin,andhowitneeds tobe fullyatoned if it is tobeovercome.Before theimageof the sufferingLord, evil canno longerbe trivialized.Tous too,he says: “Donotweep for me, weep for yourselves... if they do this when the wood is green, what willhappenwhenitisdry?”.

PRAYER

Lord,totheweepingwomenyouspokeofrepentanceandtheDayofJudgment,whenallofus will stand before your face: before you, the Judge of the world. You call us to leavebehindthetrivializationofevil,whichsalvesourconsciencesandallowsustocarryonasbefore.Youshowus theseriousnessofour responsibility, thedangerofourbeing foundguiltyandwithoutexcuseontheDayof Judgment.Grantthatwemaynotsimplywalkatyourside,withnothing toofferother thancompassionatewords.Convertusandgiveusnewlife.Grantthatintheendwewillnotbedrywood,butlivingbranchesinyou,thetruevine,bearingfruitforeternallife(cf.Jn15:1-10).

NINTHSTATION

Jesusfallsforthethirdtime

FromtheBookofLamentations.3:27-32

Itisgoodforamanthathebeartheyokeinhisyouth.Lethimsitaloneinsilencewhenhehaslaiditonhim;lethimputhismouthinthedust-theremayyetbehope;lethimgivehischeektothesmiter,andbefilledwithinsults.FortheLordwillnotcastoffforever,but,thoughhecausegrief,hewillhavecompassion,accordingtotheabundanceofhissteadfastlove.

MEDITATION

Whatcanthethirdfallof JesusundertheCrosssaytous?Wehaveconsideredthefallofman in general, and the falling ofmany Christians away from Christ and into a godlesssecularism.ShouldwenotalsothinkofhowmuchChristsuffersinhisownChurch?HowoftenistheholysacramentofhisPresenceabused,howoftenmustheenteremptyandevilhearts!Howoftendowecelebrateonlyourselves,withoutevenrealizingthatheisthere!Howoften ishisWord twisted andmisused!What little faith ispresentbehind somanytheories, somanyemptywords!Howmuch filth there is in theChurch, andevenamongthosewho,inthepriesthood,oughttobelongentirelytohim!Howmuchpride,howmuchself-complacency!WhatlittlerespectwepaytotheSacramentofReconciliation,wherehewaits forus, ready toraiseusupwheneverwe fall!All this ispresent inhisPassion.Hisbetrayalbyhisdisciples, theirunworthyreceptionofhisBodyandBlood, iscertainlythegreatestsufferingenduredbytheRedeemer; itpierceshisheart.Wecanonlycall tohimfromthedepthsofourhearts:Kyrieeleison–Lord,saveus(cf.Mt8:25).

PRAYER

Lord,yourChurchoftenseems likeaboatabout tosink,aboat taking inwateroneveryside. Inyour fieldweseemoreweeds thanwheat.The soiledgarmentsand faceof yourChurchthrowusintoconfusion.Yetitisweourselveswhohavesoiledthem!Itiswewhobetrayyoutimeandtimeagain,afterallourloftywordsandgrandgestures.HavemercyonyourChurch;withinher too,Adamcontinues to fall.Whenwe fall,wedragyoudown toearth, and Satan laughs, for he hopes that youwill not be able to rise from that fall; hehopes thatbeingdraggeddown in the fallofyourChurch,youwill remainprostrateandoverpowered.Butyouwillriseagain.Youstoodup,youaroseandyoucanalsoraiseusup.SaveandsanctifyyourChurch.Saveandsanctifyusall.

TENTHSTATION

Jesusisstrippedofhisgarments

FromtheGospelaccordingtoMatthew.27:33-36

And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), theyofferedhimwinetodrink,mingledwithgall,butwhenhetastedit,hewouldnotdrinkit.Andwhentheyhadcrucifiedhim,theydividedhisgarmentsamongthembycastinglots;thentheysatdownandkeptwatchoverhimthere.

MEDITATION

Jesusisstrippedofhisgarments.Clothinggivesamanhissocialposition;itgiveshimhisplaceinsociety,itmakeshimsomeone.HispublicstrippingmeansthatJesusisnolongeranythingatall,heissimplyanoutcast,despisedbyallalike.ThemomentofthestrippingremindsusoftheexpulsionfromParadise:God’ssplendourhasfallenawayfromman,whonowstandsnakedandexposed,uncladandashamed.AndsoJesusoncemoretakesontheconditionof fallenman.Strippedofhisgarments,heremindsusthatwehaveall lost the“firstgarment” that isGod’ssplendour.At the footof theCross, thesoldiersdraw lots todividehispaltrypossessions, his clothes.TheEvangelistsdescribe the scenewithwordsdrawnfromPsalm22:19;bydoingsotheytellusthesamethingthatJesuswouldtellhisdisciplesontheroadtoEmmaus:thateverythingtakesplace“accordingtotheScriptures”.Nothingismerecoincidence;everythingthathappensiscontainedintheWordofGodandsustainedbyhisdivineplan.TheLordpassesthroughallthestagesandstepsofman’sfallfrom grace, yet each of these steps, for all its bitterness, becomes a step towards ourredemption:thisishowhecarrieshomethelostsheep.LetusnotforgetthatJohnsaysthatlotsweredrawnforJesus’stunic,“wovenwithoutseamfromtoptobottom”(Jn19:23).WemayconsiderthisasareferencetotheHighPriest’srobe,whichwas“wovenfromasinglethread”,without stitching (Fl. Josephus, a III, 161). For he, the CrucifiedOne, is the trueHighPriest.

PRAYER

LordJesus,youwerestrippedofyourgarments,exposedtoshame,castoutofsociety.YoutookuponyourselftheshameofAdam,andyouhealedit.Youalsotakeuponyourselfthesufferingsandtheneedsof thepoor, theoutcastsofourworld.Andinthisverywayyoufulfil the words of the prophets. This is how you bring meaning into apparentmeaninglessness.ThisishowyoumakeusrealizethatyourFatherholdsyou,us,andthewhole world in his hands. Give us a profound respect for man at every stage of hisexistence,andinallthesituationsinwhichweencounterhim.Clotheusinthelightofyourgrace.

ELEVENTHSTATION

JesusisnailedtotheCross

FromtheGospelaccordingtoMatthew27:37-42

Andoverhisheadtheyputthechargeagainsthim,whichread,“ThisisJesustheKingoftheJews”.Thentworobberswerecrucifiedwithhim,oneontherighthandandoneontheleft.And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who woulddestroythetempleandbuild it in threedays, saveyourself! IfyouaretheSonofGod,comedownfromtheCross”.Soalsothechiefpriestswiththescribesandeldersmockedhim,saying,“Hesavedothers;hecannotsavehimself.HeistheKingofIsrael;lethimcomedownnowfromtheCrossandwewillbelieveinhim”.

MEDITATION

JesusisnailedtotheCross.TheshroudofTuringivesusanideaoftheunbelievablecrueltyof this procedure. Jesus does not drink the numbing gall offered to him: he deliberatelytakesuponhimselfall thepainof theCrucifixion.Hiswholebodyisracked;thewordsofthePsalmhavecometopass:“ButIamawormandnoman,scornedbymen,rejectedbythepeople”(Ps22:7).“Asonefromwhommenhidetheirfaces,hewasdespised...surelyhehasborneourgriefsandcarriedoursorrows”(Is53:3f.).Letushaltbeforethis imageofpain,beforethesufferingSonofGod.Letuslookuponhimattimesofpresumptuousnessandpleasure, inorderto learntorespect limitsandtoseethesuperficialityofallmerelymaterialgoods.Letuslookuponhimattimesoftrialandtribulation,andrealizethatitisthenthatweareclosesttoGod.Letustrytoseehisfaceinthepeoplewemightlookdownupon.AswestandbeforethecondemnedLord,whodidnotusehispowertocomedownfrom the Cross, but endured its suffering to the end, another thought comes to mind.IgnatiusofAntioch,aprisonerinchainsforhisfaithintheLord,praisedtheChristiansofSmyrnafortheirinvinciblefaith:hesaysthattheywere,sotospeak,nailedwithfleshandbloodtotheCrossoftheLordJesusChrist(1:1).Letusnailourselvestohim,resistingthetemptationtostandapart,ortojoinothersinmockinghim.

PRAYER

LordJesusChrist,you letyourselfbenailedtotheCross,acceptingtheterriblecrueltyofthis suffering, thedestructionof yourbodyandyourdignity. Youallowedyourself tobenailed fast;youdidnot try toescapeor to lessenyoursuffering.Maywenever flee fromwhatweare called todo.Helpus to remain faithful to you.Helpus tounmask the falsefreedomwhichwoulddistanceusfromyou.Helpustoacceptyour“binding”freedom,and,“bound”fasttoyou,todiscovertruefreedom.

TWELFTHSTATION

JesusdiesontheCross

FromtheGospelaccordingtoJohn19:19-20

Pilatealsowrotea titleandput iton theCross; it read, “JesusofNazareth, theKingof theJews”.Manyof the Jewsreadthis title, fortheplacewhere Jesuswascrucifiedwasnearthecity;anditwaswritteninHebrew,inLatin,andinGreek.

FromtheGospelaccordingtoMatthew27:45-50,54

Nowfromthesixthhourtherewasdarknessoverallthelanduntiltheninthhour.AndabouttheninthhourJesuscriedwithaloudvoice,“Eli,Eli,lamasabachthani?”Thatis,“MyGod,myGod,whyhave you forsakenme?”And someof thebystandershearing it said, “Thisman iscallingElijah”.Andoneofthematonceranandtookasponge,filleditwithvinegar,andputitonareed,andgaveittohimtodrink.Buttheotherssaid,“Wait,letusseewhetherElijahwillcometosavehim”.AndJesuscriedagainwithaloudvoiceandyieldeduphisspirit”.Whenthecenturionandthosewhowerewithhim,keepingwatchover Jesus,sawtheearthquakeandwhattookplace,theywerefilledwithawe,andsaid,“TrulythiswastheSonofGod!”

MEDITATION

In Greek and Latin, the two international languages of the time, and in Hebrew, thelanguage of the ChosenPeople, a sign stood above the Cross of Jesus, indicatingwhohewas: theKing of the Jews, the promised SonofDavid. Pilate, the unjust judge, became aprophetdespitehimself.Thekingshipof Jesuswasproclaimedbeforeall theworld. Jesushimselfhadnotacceptedthetitle“Messiah”,becauseitwouldhavesuggestedamistaken,human idea of power and deliverance. Yet now the title can remain publicly displayedabovetheCrucifiedChrist.Heisindeedthekingoftheworld.Nowheistruly“liftedup”.Insinking to the depths he rose to the heights. Now he has radically fulfilled thecommandmentoflove,hehascompletedtheofferingofhimself,andinthiswayheisnowthe revelation of the trueGod, theGodwho is love.NowweknowwhoGod is.Nowweknowwhattruekingshipis.JesuspraysPsalm22,whichbeginswiththewords:“MyGod,myGod,whyhave you forsakenme?” (Ps22:2).He takes to himself thewhole sufferingpeopleofIsrael,allofsufferinghumanity,thedramaofGod’sdarkness,andhemakesGodpresentintheveryplacewhereheseemsdefinitivelyvanquishedandabsent.TheCrossofJesusisacosmicevent.Theworldisdarkened,whentheSonofGodisgivenuptodeath.The earth trembles. And on the Cross, the Church of the Gentiles is born. The Romancenturionunderstandsthis,andacknowledgesJesusastheSonofGod.FromtheCrosshetriumphs–everanew.

PRAYER

LordJesusChrist,atthehourofyourdeaththesunwasdarkened.EveranewyouarebeingnailedtotheCross.AtthispresenthourofhistorywearelivinginGod’sdarkness.Throughyour great sufferings and the wickedness of men, the face of God, your face, seemsobscured,unrecognizable.Andyet,ontheCross,youhaverevealedyourself.Preciselybybeing the onewho suffers and loves, you are exalted. From the Cross on high you havetriumphed.Helpustorecognizeyourfaceatthishourofdarknessandtribulation.Helpustobelieveinyouandtofollowyouinourhourofdarknessandneed.Showyourselfoncemoretotheworldatthishour.Revealtousyoursalvation.

THIRTEENTHSTATION

JesusistakendownfromtheCrossandgiventohisMother

FromtheGospelaccordingtoMatthew27:54-55:Whenthecenturionandthosewhowerewithhim,keepingwatchoverJesus,sawtheearthquakeandwhattookplace,theywerefilledwith awe, and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” There were alsomany women there,lookingonfromafar,whohadfollowedJesusfromGalilee,ministeringtohim.

MEDITATION - Jesus isdead.Fromhisheart,piercedby the lanceof theRomansoldier,flowbloodandwater:amysteriousimageofthestreamofthesacraments,BaptismandtheEucharist, bywhich the Church is constantly reborn from the opened heart of the Lord.Jesus’legsarenotbroken,likethoseofthetwomencrucifiedwithhim.HeisthusrevealedasthetruePaschallamb,notoneofwhosebonesmustbebroken(cf.Es12:46).Andnow,attheendofhissufferings,itisclearthat,forallthedismaywhichfilledmen’shearts,forall the power of hatred and cowardice, hewas never alone. There are faithful oneswhoremainwithhim.UndertheCrossstandMary,hisMother, thesisterofhisMother,Mary,Mary Magdalen and the disciple whom he loved. A wealthy man, Joseph of Arimathea,appearsonthescene:arichmanisabletopassthroughtheeyeofaneedle, forGodhasgivenhimthegrace.HeburiesJesusinhisownemptytomb,inagarden.AtJesus’sburial,the cemetery becomes a garden, the garden from which Adam was cast out when heabandonedthefullnessoflife,hisCreator.Thegardentombsymbolizesthatthedominionofdeathisabouttoend.AmemberoftheSanhedrinalsocomesalong,Nicodemus,towhomJesushadproclaimedthemysteryofrebirthbywaterandtheSpirit.EvenintheSanhedrin,which decreed his death, there is a believer, someonewho knows and recognizes Jesusafterhisdeath.Inthishourofimmensegrief,ofdarknessanddespair,thelightofhopeismysteriouslypresent.ThehiddenGodcontinuestobetheGodoflife,evernear.Eveninthenightofdeath,theLordcontinuestobeourLordandSavior.TheChurchofJesusChrist,hisnewfamily,beginstotakeshape.

PRAYER-Lord,youdescendedintothedarknessofdeath.Butyourbodyisplacedingoodhandsandwrappedinawhiteshroud(Mt27:59).Faithhasnotcompletelydied;thesunhasnotcompletelyset.Howoftendoesitappearthatyouareasleep?Howeasyitisforustostepbackandsaytoourselves:“Godisdead”.Inthehourofdarkness,helpustoknowthatyouarestillthere.Donotabandonuswhenwearetemptedtoloseheart.Helpusnottoleaveyoualone.Giveusthefidelitytowithstandmomentsofconfusionandalovereadytoembraceyouinyourutterhelplessness,likeyourMother,whooncemoreholdsyoutoherbreast.Helpus,thepoorandrich,simpleandlearned,tolookbeyondallourfearsandprejudices, and toofferyouourabilities, ourhearts andour time, and thus toprepareagardenfortheResurrection.

FOURTEENTHSTATION

Jesusislaidinthetomb

FromtheGospelaccordingtoMatthew27:59-61:Josephtookthebody,andwrappeditinacleanlinenshroud,andlaidit inhisownnewtomb,whichhehadhewnintherock;andherolledagreat stone to thedoorof the tomb,anddeparted.MaryMagdaleneand theotherMarywerethere,sittingoppositethesepulchre.

MEDITATION

Jesus,disgracedandmistreated, ishonorablyburied in anew tomb.Nicodemusbringsamixture ofmyrrh and aloes, about a hundredpoundsweight,which gives off a preciousscent. In theSon’s self-offering, as athis anointing inBethany,we seean “excess”whichevokesGod’s generous and superabundant love. God offers himself unstintingly. If God’smeasure is superabundance, thenwe for our part should consider nothing toomuch forGod.This is the teachingof Jesushimself, in theSermonontheMount(Mt5:20).ButweshouldalsorememberthewordsofSaintPaul,whosaysthatGod“throughusspreadsthefragrance of the knowledge of Christ everywhere. We are the aroma of Christ” (2 Cor2:14ff.).Amidthedecayofideologies,ourfaithneedsoncemoretobethefragrancewhichreturnsus to thepathof life.At theverymomentofhisburial, Jesus’wordsare fulfilled:“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain ofwheat falls to the earth and dies, it remainsalone;butifitdies,itbearsmuchfruit”(Jn12:24).Jesusisthegrainofwheatwhichdies.Fromthat lifelessgrainofwheatcomesforththegreatmultiplicationofbreadwhichwillendure until the end of the world. Jesus is the bread of life which can satisfysuperabundantlythehungerofallhumanityandprovideitsdeepestnourishment.ThroughhisCross andResurrection, theeternalWordofGodbecame fleshandbread forus.ThemysteryoftheEucharistalreadyshinesforthintheburialofJesus.

PRAYER

Lord JesusChrist, in yourburial youhave takenon thedeathof the grainofwheat. Youhavebecomethelifelessgrainofwheatwhichproducesabundantfruit foreveryageandforalleternity.Fromthetombshinesforthineverygenerationthepromiseofthegrainofwheatwhichgivesrisetothetruemanna,theBreadofLife,inwhichyouofferusyourveryself. The eternalWord, through his Incarnation and death, has become aWordwhich isclosetous:youputyourselfintoourhandsandintoourhearts,sothatyourwordcangrowwithinusandbearfruit.Throughthedeathofthegrainofwheatyougiveusyourself,sothatwetoocandaretoloseourlifeinordertofindit,sothatwetoocantrustthepromise

ofthegrainofwheat.HelpusgrowinloveandvenerationforyourEucharisticmystery–tomakeyou,theBreadofheaven,thesourceofourlife.Helpustobecomeyour“fragrance”,andtomakeknowninthisworldthemysterioustracesofyourlife.Likethegrainofwheatwhich rises from theearth,putting forth its stalkand then its ear, you couldnot remainenclosedinthetomb:thetombisemptybecausehe–theFather–“didnotabandonyoutothenetherworld,norletyourfleshseecorruption”(Acts2:31;Ps16:10LXX).No,youdidnotseecorruption.Youhaverisen,andhavemadeaplaceforourtransfiguredfleshintheveryheartofGod.Helpustorejoiceinthishopeandbringitjoyfullytotheworld.Helpustobecomewitnessesofyourresurrection.