The Way of the Cross with Pope Benedict XVI
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
From
the Gospel according to John 19:19-20
Pilate
also wrote a title and put it on the Cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth,
the King of the Jews." Many of the Jews read this title, for the place
where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in
Latin, and in Greek.
From
the Gospel according to Matthew 27:45-50,54
Now
from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lama
sabachthani?" That is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken
me?" And some of the bystanders hearing it said, "This man is calling
Elijah." And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with
vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink. But the others
said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him." And
Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit." When the
centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the
earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe, and said,
"Truly this was the Son of God!"
MEDITATION
In
Greek and Latin, the two international languages of the time, and in Hebrew,
the language of the Chosen People, a sign stood above the Cross of Jesus,
indicating who he was: the King of the Jews, the promised Son of David. Pilate,
the unjust judge, became a prophet despite himself. The kingship of Jesus was
proclaimed before the entire world. Jesus himself had not accepted the title "Messiah,"
because it would have suggested a mistaken, human idea of power and
deliverance. Yet now the title can remain publicly displayed above the
Crucified Christ. He is indeed the king of the world. Now he is truly
"lifted up." In sinking to the depths he rose to the heights. Now he
has radically fulfilled the commandment of love, he has completed the offering
of himself, and in this way he is now the revelation of the true God, the God
who is love. Now we know who God is. Now we know what true kingship is. Jesus
prays Psalm 22, which begins with the words: "My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:2). He takes to himself the whole suffering people
of Israel, all of suffering humanity, the drama of God's darkness, and he makes
God present in the very place where he seems definitively vanquished and
absent. The Cross of Jesus is a cosmic event. The world is darkened, when the
Son of God is given up to death. The earth trembles. And on the Cross, the
Church of the Gentiles is born. The Roman centurion understands this, and
acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God. From the Cross he triumphs -- ever anew.
PRAYER
Lord
Jesus Christ, at the hour of your death the sun was darkened. Ever anew you are
being nailed to the Cross. At this present hour of history we are living in
God's darkness. Through your great sufferings and the wickedness of men, the
face of God, your face, seems obscured, unrecognizable. And yet, on the Cross,
you have revealed yourself. Precisely by being the one who suffers and loves,
you are exalted. From the Cross on high you have triumphed. Help us to
recognize your face at this hour of darkness and tribulation. Help us to
believe in you and to follow you in our hour of darkness and need. Show
yourself once more to the world at this hour. Reveal to us your salvation.
All:
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.
Let me share
with thee His pain,
who for all my
sins was slain,
who for me in
torments died.
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