Station 12: Jesus dies on the Cross

Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, this is your son.”  Then to the disciple he said, “This is your mother.”  And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.  After this, Jesus knew that everything had now been completed, and to fulfill the scripture perfectly he said, “I am thirsty.”  A jar full of vinegar stood there, so putting a sponge soaked in the vinegar on a hyssop stick they held it up to his mouth.  After Jesus had taken the vinegar he said, “It is accomplished”; and bowing his head he gave up his spirit.
                                                                                    John 19:26 - 30
 
Reflection:    “Mother” – it is the cry of a child waking in the night; it is the cry of a soldier, wounded and dying on a field of battle.  At this moment, the only care of Jesus is for his mother.  He cannot die before he has taken care of her, given her away into the keeping of his beloved friend and disciple, John.  And to John, she is the most precious gift that Jesus could give.
Mary is there.  She is standing at the foot of the cross.  Her only care is for him.  What is more painful that the “letting go” of a loved one, especially letting go of a child?  Once more Mary is called to give birth, to “let him go.”
 
His fevered lips are dry and Jesus cries out for water.  Mary cannot reach him; another lifts a sponge dampened with vinegar to his lips.
Mary stands there, and we stand there with her.  There is one last gasp, and then that heart that was so filled with love is stilled.
 
Prayer:  Let us be silent before such love….
 
Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed by 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.
 
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.  Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.  Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, AMEN.
 
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, AMEN.
 
Jesus Christ crucified, have mercy on us.