Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross
MARK 15:37-39
Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
As he hung on the cross, Jesus looked down at his mother and one of his disciples, and he gave them into each other’s care as mother and son. He finally gave voice to his physical distress, saying “I am thirsty”. His distress grows deeper as he prays to God: “My God, My God, why do you abandon me?” At this hour, he is totally, completely alone. He offers his spirit to his silent Father God. He surrenders. It is finished.
PSALM 99:2-3, 9
The Lord is great in Zion; he is high above all people.
Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome;
He is the Holy One.
Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and worship him upon his holy hill;
For the Lord our God is the Holy One.
Pray for—
- • the dying, for those facing their last days and last hours, that because of Jesus enduring his total loneliness on the cross, they might never know abandonment.
- • those who care for the dying: families, friends, medical staff, and all the communion of saints including those who have gone before.
- • yourself, that when you face the destruction of your earthly body, you may know Jesus and share his risen and eternal life.