by
Fr. John Keep

12th.Station:  Jesus Dies on the Cross

Verse:  We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Response:  Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

After three hours of agony, Jesus dies on the Cross.  He dies with a loud strong cry, showing that He is dying by His own will, and no one has taken His life from Him.  He says, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”  The one and only and all embracing sacrifice has been offered and accepted.
    
The value God Himself puts on each soul is measured by the Cross.  Each person I meet means this much to Our Lord.  Does Our Lord have to hold His breath in fear every time I meet someone, in case I shall do harm to the one He loves so much?  Or does He fear the harm I may do to myself?  Think of the reward He has in store for you if you help a single soul by your prayer, or the hundred you help by your sacrifice.  Jesus hung on the edge of hell for three hours with His arms stretched out, to prevent us all from going there.  And so He has died.  His sufferings are over now.

(after a brief pause)

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.