The Thirteenth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross

Presider: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

At noon darkness came over the whole land until three In the afternoon. And at three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some of the bystanders who heard It said, "Look, he is calling Elijah." One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down. " Jesus ​gave a loud cry and breathed his last. When the centurion who stood lacing him saw how he breathed his last he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:33-37, 39) 

Read More

ROMAN CENTURION
 I was there, a Roman centurion, part of the most disciplined war machine In the world. I was witness to all the events leading to his death. Even now my guilt haunts me when I remember what we did to Jesus In the courtyard: how we blindfolded him, and played vicious games, striking and spitting in his face. I watched the King of the Jews as he took up his cross. It was my official role to make sure he died that Friday. He was just another prisoner, an­other criminal to be crucified with Roman efficiency. But then I began to study this man-no, he was more than a man. It was his royal, noble manner, his undaunted courage. I had seen hundreds of men face death on the cross; they cursed and screamed. Jesus was different: he had a strange peace about him that went beyond anything I've ever seen. He even forgave the people under the cross who taunted him. In the end, Jesus died like a god, with dig­nity. Under the cross, I was driven to my knees, driven to recog­nize him for what he claimed to be: the Son of God. Within my heart, I felt the first stirring of faith and I asked Jesus to forgive my cruelty and hardness. I was there when Jesus died on the cross. Were you there? Did you recognize him, too? 
​
PRESIDER: Let us pray.
ALL: Jesus, through your divine patience, goodness and forgiveness, you opened the eyes of the centurion. Deepen our faith so that we also might see you pres­ent in the patience, goodness and forgiveness of oth­ers. Amen. 
Were you there when he died upon the cross? 
Were you there when he died upon the cross? 
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when he died upon the cross? 

Next: The fourteenth Station

Stations of the Cross: Main Menu