Gospel in Art: The Stations of the Cross - 12: Jesus dies on the cross

............ Crucifixion by Andrea Mantegna .............. ©Louvre Museum, Paris

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 13 April 2022

Matthew 27: 45-46, 50, 54

From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' that is, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'

Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.

Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw what took place, they were terrified and said, 'Truly this man was God's Son!'

Reflection on the painting

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

There you are, crucified, outside the walls of Jerusalem which I can see on the left. People have now started walking back to the city up the ramp. The soldiers are playing a game at your feet. My Jesus, you are there alone, abandoned, gasping your last breaths.

Your hands and feet are bleeding. I realise how it is not the nails that keep you on that cross… but it is me and my sins that keep you nailed to the wood. You stay on that cross for me. I hear you cry 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' The words cut through my heart.

But I also remember the hymn of Venantius Fortunatus (530-609), 'Faithful Cross! above all other, one and only noble Tree! (Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis). These words bring me consolation. How rich, necessary and complex your cross is, my Jesus.

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: Matthew 26: 14-25:

One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?' They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him.

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, 'Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the passover?' 'Go to so-and-so in the city' he replied 'and say to him, "The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples."' The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.

When evening came he was at table with the twelve disciples. And while they were eating he said 'I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me.' They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, 'Not I, Lord, surely?' He answered, 'Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me, will betray me. The Son of Man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!' Judas, who was to betray him; asked in his turn, 'Not I, Rabbi, surely?' 'They are your own words' answered Jesus.

LINKS

Christian Art: www.christian.art

Today's picture: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-27-45-46-50-54-2022/