Simple Thoughts on the Rosary: Sorrowful Mysteries: The Crucifixion
I.—Jesus Christ who hath loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.—Apoc. i.
And they bring Him into the place called Golgotha, which being interpreted, is the place of Calvary. And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh. And when He had tasted He would not drink.
And it was the third hour and they crucified Him.
And with Him they crucified the robbers, one on the right hand and the other on the left, and Jesus in the midst.
And Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
And the people stood beholding. And they that passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying: “Vah! Thou that destroyest the Temple of God, and in three days dost rebuild it, save Thy own self. If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” And one of those robbers who were hanged, blasphemed Him, saying: “If Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us.” But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: “Neither dost thou fear God, seeing thou art under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds, but this Man hath done no evil.” And he said to Jesus: “Lord, remember me when Thou shalt come into Thy Kingdom.” And Jesus said to him: “Amen, I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.”
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, His Mother, and His Mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus, therefore, had seen His Mother, and the disciple standing whom He loved, He saith to His Mother: “Woman, behold thy son.” After that He saith to the disciple: “Behold thy Mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own.
And it was almost the sixth hour. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole earth until the ninth hour.
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabacthani!” Which is, being interpreted: “My God! My God! why hast Thou forsaken me?”
Afterwards Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said: “I thirst.” Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar; and immediately one of them running, took a sponge and filled it with vinegar, and putting it upon a reed, put it to His mouth, and gave Him to drink.
Jesus, therefore, when He had taken the vinegar, said: “It is consummated.”
And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, said: “Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.”
And saying this, and bowing His head, He gave up the ghost.
And the earth quaked, and the rocks were rent, and the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints that had slept, arose, and coming out of the tombs after His Resurrection, came into the holy city and appeared to many.
And they that were watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the things that were done, were sore afraid, saying: “Indeed, this was the Son of God.” And all the multitude of them that were come together to that sight, and saw the things that were done, returned striking their breasts (Matth. 27. Mark 15. Luke 23. John 19).
See Calvary and the surrounding country at the beginning of the three hours. Amid the gathering darkness, the three crosses facing west. The figures of the crucified standing out white and gaunt in the gloom.
Watch the immense concourse moving up towards the central cross. Notice how the priests, Pharisees, and ancients go among the people, stirring them up to revile Him who hangs there. See group after group of the priests coming to the cross, looking up, wagging their heads in mockery. Observe the soldiers keeping guard, and casting lots for His poor garments. At a little distance our Lady, St. John, and the holy women.
Hear the jeers, reproaches, blasphemies of the priests, their thanksgiving to God who has delivered the nation from this seducer. Hear them quieting the people frightened by the darkness. Hearken to our Lord saying: “Father, forgive them.”
See, during the next hour, the earth in darkness; the space round the cross free; the enemies of Christ, fearful and uneasy, seeking their homes; the people, terrified, gathered together in groups, looking in silence towards the Crucified; the centurion and his band in reverent attitudes; the Blessed Mother and her companions standing beneath the cross.
Hear the people speaking in whispers; talking of our Lord’s miracles and goodness; saying, “He hath done all things well”; pitying Him; praising Him; condemning their rulers. Hear the words of the thieves; our Lord’s words to the good thief and to His Mother. Hear Him saying: “I thirst.”
See, during the third hour, the Mount becoming deserted; the multitude going away striking their breasts; the sacred Body drooping towards the earth. Mary still standing, still gazing upwards, waiting for the end.
See the veil of the Temple torn asunder; the rocks rent; the tombs opened; the dead rising.
Hear the stillness round the cross as the ninth hour draws on; the last words of our Lord; the loud cry with which His Soul goes forth.
II.—And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to Myself.—John xii.
See Jerusalem on the day of the Crucifixion. About two millions of people in and around the city. Look at the crowds winding through the dark, narrow thoroughfares, pouring through the Judgment Gate, and congregating in vast masses round the place of execution. Watch the three condemned as they painfully toil up the little mound outside the walls known as “the place of Calvary.” The soldiers clear a space on the summit. The crosses are thrown on the ground. The executioners lay hands on our Lord.
How tenderly we prepare for death those whom we love! What circumspection there is in our words, what care to banish sights and sounds that would disturb, to provide what may soothe, to soften in every way love can suggest the terrible parting of soul and body!
Our Lord is prepared for death by His executioners. He has been made to carry His cross. All the dread preparations are made before His eyes and those of His Mother. There is no pity, no attempt to mitigate in the very least the awful sentence of crucifixion. The drink offered by custom to the condemned to lessen their pain, is mixed with gall for Him. The crown of thorns has been so knocked about, so roughly removed and replaced, that His head is a mass of wounds. His sacred body is but one sore, not the lightest texture could touch it without causing Him exquisite pain. Is it in expiation of our vanity that He would have His vesture during the whole of His Passion a source of torture to Him? The sweat of blood in the Garden that trickled down to the ground must have first saturated His garments. Think how hard and stiff they would become when dry; what agony they would occasion Him after the scourging and along the Way of the Cross as they rubbed against the raw wounds, when they were dragged off and on, when He fell; what He will suffer when they are torn from Him now. He has come to His death in a state too horrible for description, yet not piteous enough to arouse compassion in the thousands that have come to see Him die.
The executioners order Him to lie down upon the cross that they may take the measure for the nails. This done, they thrust Him aside whilst they bore the holes in the wood. See Him pushed here and there, not knowing where to stand in His misery, as closer and closer, driven forward by the multitude pressing up the slope, crowds the coarse, cruel rabble. It is with difficulty the centurion and his band keep it back, and leave the executioners room to do their work. Pity our Lord. Try to realise what He suffers. Wonder how His love could go so far; how the reverence due to His Majesty did not compel Him to forego ignominy such as this!
All is ready. The condemned are called for. Each lays himself down upon his cross, the thieves blaspheming in their despair, our Lord praying. The terror of His human Soul is beyond words. No martyr, no criminal ever quailed like this before torture and death. For He knows all that is to come. Every pang from now to the death struggle is vividly present to Him. He does not divert His mind from it. He does not seek to repulse the horror it produces. He allows it to assail Him with the most vehement repugnance. And He overcomes all with the love that will love us even unto death. Compassionate Him in this strife between the inferior part of the Soul that shrinks from torments and death, and the superior which rules that at such exceeding cost we shall be redeemed. From this strife we learn that repugnance which is conquered by the energy of the will, far from lessening enhances the heroism of love.
Our Lord lies down upon His cross and stretches out His arms. An executioner holds His right hand. Another takes a four-sided nail about three inches long, and with one strong blow drives it through the palm into the wood. A convulsive shudder runs through the whole frame; the limbs contract; the knees are drawn up. The left hand will not reach the hole on the other side. They draw a noose round the wrist and stretch the arm till the sinews give way and the joints are dislocated. At last they bring it to its place, and a blow nails it fast. By means of ropes the feet are drawn to the holes in the stem of the cross and nailed there. Then the executioners rise and survey their work.