Fourth reflection of the fifth week of Lent
In the fifth week of Lent, we allow ourselves to be challenged by the words of Blessed Anna Katharina Emmerick, inspired by her visions of the sorrowful Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ—visions on which the film The Passion is based and which… cannot leave us indifferent.
Jesus dies on the cross
The Lord’s final hour was now near. Like any mortal, Jesus struggled against death: a cold sweat covered his body, while his chest heaved increasingly more heavily.
Under the cross, John continually wiped his feet with his own shroud.
Mary Magdalene, visibly crushed by grief, leaned desperately against the back of the cross. Supported by Salome and Mary of Clopas, the Holy Virgin remained standing between Jesus’ cross and that of the good thief.
As he reached the final moments of his earthly life, Jesus said: “It is finished!”; he raised his head and uttered a loud, gentle cry that pierced heaven and earth: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit!”; he bowed his head and gave up his spirit to the merciful Father.
When the Lord finished speaking his last words, it was shortly after 3:00 p.m. Like a luminous figure, his holy soul descended into limbo.
John and the pious women, unable to withstand such pain, fell to the ground with their foreheads in the dust.
Everything was now accomplished; the Lord’s soul had left his holy body. The last cry of the Holy of Holies had made the earth and those who heard it tremble; at that same instant, the rock of Calvary split, causing a wide fissure between Jesus’ cross and that of the bad thief. Numerous houses collapsed, making the earth shake when the Lord gave up his holy soul; God had borne witness that everything was now accomplished.
A great terror seized everyone present and made itself felt throughout all nature; at that very moment, the veil of the temple was torn in two and many dead people came out of their tombs.
How does Jesus’ death touch my life?
I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow morning to continue reflecting together!
