Station of the Cross

Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross, 

Luke 23 Selected Verses

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.

The cruel nail

The life impaled

The searing pain

The sinew strain

A life in vain?

Where is the gain?

Yet, in my mind 

I see the sign

A thorn crowned brow

And know not how

Such love, such grace

Hangs in this place.

There in my head

View broken bread,

A Cup o’er filled

His life distilled.

That I and all

May hear his call.

“My body giv’n

Your life forgiv’n

My blood here spilled

Your life to fill 

With love with ease

Go now in peace.”

Lord Jesus Christ, you let yourself be nailed to the Cross, accepting the terrible cruelty of this suffering, the destruction of your body and your dignity. You allowed yourself to be nailed fast; you did not try to escape or to lessen your suffering. May we never flee from what we are called to do. Help us to remain faithful to you. Help us to unmask the false freedom which would distance us from you. Help us to accept your “binding” freedom, and, “bound” fast to you, to discover true freedom. Amen