At the Cross
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
On the eve of his death, the Son of God trembled and shook, so terrible did the expectation of his punishment appear, but in the very grip of his sorrow he seemed to change, and the torment then seemed as nothing to him. His words to the good thief were measured and calm; he distinctly recognized those who were his own at the foot of the Cross, and he spoke to them and consoled them. Afterwards, knowing that in the prophets it was written that a bitter drink was to be prepared for him, he asked for it, tasted it without disgust, and, having said that everything he had to do had been accomplished, gave up his soul to his Father. He accomplished these things so freely, so peacefully, that it is easy to verify what he said: “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”
The reason why we see him so peaceful on Calvary, while he had been so troubled on the Mount of Olives, is that on the Cross and on Calvary he was engaged in the work of his sacrifice. Sacrifice is the action by which we give homage to God. We know from experience that the actions by which we show respect require a composed and controlled countenance. It is the very character of respect. Yet God sees to the very depths of our hearts, and therefore our souls must be composed in order to offer respectful worship. The priest must offer sacrifice with his soul at peace. O Jesus, my divine Priest, this is why you were so peaceful during your agony. It is true that you were moved on the Mount of Olives, but that was a voluntary anxiety by which you took on the posture and character of a victim. As soon as you were at the altar, and you began to fulfill the function of the priest, as soon as you raised your innocent hands to offer the victim to heaven, you had no more anxiety, nor would you any longer appear fearful, because to have done so would have manifested repugnance for the act. This was so that we would understand that you are a merciful priest who sacrificed yourself willingly, urged on by your love for our salvation.
This is a great mystery, but it was not accomplished in Jesus Christ alone, for he inspired the same sentiments in his holy Mother, who had to take part in this sacrifice. She also had to offer her Son, which is why she was as peaceful as he was, why she stood upright at the foot of the Cross, to manifest a most deliberate action, and, in spite of her sorrow, to offer him with her whole heart to the Eternal Father. From her we must learn constantly to sacrifice to God all that is dearest to us. Here is Mary at the foot of the Cross, who rips out her own heart in order to deliver her only Son to death. She offers him, but not only then. She had not ceased to offer him from the day that the good Simeon had predicted the strange contradictions that she would suffer. She had offered him at every moment of her life, and she brought her oblation to its completion at the Cross.
What a horrid sight it was for a mother! O God, he belongs to you. I consent to all of it. Your will be done. Is not my consent required for my Son to be handed over unto death? I am ready to agree to all of it. My deeds will prove my readiness. Unleash all your anger upon him. Do not be content to strike him. Take up your sword to pierce my soul. Tear out my heart. It is Mary who speaks to us, telling us that we must give to God all that is dearest to us. Is that a spouse? Is that a child? You will not lose anything by putting what you most prize into his hands. He will restore it all to you, and a hundredfold besides. Mary received far more than she gave. God soon restored her beloved Son.
Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
O God, who willed that, when your Son was lifted high on the Cross, his Mother should stand close by and share his suffering, grant that your Church, participating with the Virgin Mary in the Passion of Christ, may merit a share in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
