Twelfth Station — Jesus Dies on the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world. The Twelfth Station. Jesus dies on the Cross. For three hours, You hung there. The sun darkened. The earth itself seemed to hold its breath. Then You spoke Your last words, recorded by the Gospels. Today you will be with Me in paradise, You said to the repentant thief. Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother, You said to Mary and John. My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me, You cried, quoting Psalm twenty-two. I thirst, You said. It is finished, You declared. Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit. And then, the Gospel of Luke records, You breathed Your last. The eternal Son of God died. Lord, this is the moment everything changed. Death itself was redefined. Sin itself was paid for. The veil of the Temple tore from top to bottom. The way to the Father was thrown wide open. I kneel here in spirit. I look at the Cross. The body that hung there is the body that came from Mary. The hands that are pierced are the hands that healed the leper, blessed the children, broke bread at the Last Supper. The mouth that said It is finished is the mouth that said Lazarus, come out, and Lazarus came out. This is the love. This is the price. This is the gift. Tonight, Lord, I do not say much. I just stay here. At the foot of the Cross. Looking up. Thank You. Thank You for taking my place. For absorbing the wrath I deserved. For paying the debt I could not pay. For opening the way home for me and everyone I love. Thank You for forgiving the thief. For saving him in the last hour. For showing me that no soul is too far gone, no life is too late, no sin is too great. The promise of paradise was made to a dying criminal. It is also made to me, on a thousand smaller crosses, every day. Thank You for giving me Your Mother. From the Cross You gave me a mother to walk with me until I see Your face. Mary, mother of the dying Christ, mother of every Christian, intercede for me. Thank You for finishing it. Not leaving the work half done. Not asking me to finish it for You. Saint Paul writes in Romans five, While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Not after we improved. Not when we got our act together. While we were still sinners. Finished work, accomplished by You alone. I commend my spirit into Your hands tonight too. As You did at the moment of Your death, I do at the close of this day. Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit. (Long pause.) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy on us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.