Gospel in Art - The Stations of the Cross - 11: Jesus is nailed to the Cross

Christ being Crucified, by 'Craig', 2020 ©Christian Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 12 April 2022 - John 19: 16, 19: 25

They took Jesus to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.' Standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

Reflection on the drawing

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

There is the first nail that is being hammered through your hand. Look at the size of that nail! Your blood is dripping onto the splintered wood. The soldiers don't hold back. A second nail. And a third nail through your feet. The brutality is shocking.

Apart from the agonising pain, you must feel abandoned as well. Where are all the people you loved and spent so much time with?

Whatever my own cross is, whatever my sufferings are, I offer them to you Lord. It is my sin that nailed you to the cross. I hear the metallic clang of the soldier's hammer striking a nail. It was your final humiliation... and you did it all for me!

Our Father, who art in heaven…

Hail Mary, full of grace…

Glory be to the Father and to the Son…

Normal Gospel reading for the day: John 13:21-33, 36-38:

While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, 'I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.' The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, 'Ask who it is he means', so leaning back on Jesus' breast he said, 'Who is it, Lord?' 'It is the one' replied Jesus 'to whom I give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.' He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus then said, 'What you are going to do, do quickly.' None of the others at table understood the reason he said this. Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some of them thought Jesus was telling him, 'Buy what we need for the festival', or telling him to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread he went out. Night had fallen.

When he had gone Jesus said: 'Now has the Son of Man been glorified, and in him God has been glorified. If God has been glorified in him, God will in turn glorify him in himself, and will glorify him very soon.

'My little children, I shall not be with you much longer. You will look for me, And, as I told the Jews, where I am going, you cannot come.'

Simon Peter said, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus replied, 'Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow me later.' Peter said to him, 'Why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.' 'Lay down your life for me?' answered Jesus. 'I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.'

LINKS

Christian Art: www.christian.art

Today's picture: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-19-16-2022/