Twelfth Station

The Twelfth Station — Jesus Dies on the Cross

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you — because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. —John 19:25-27

Reflection: Before Jesus took his last breath, he looked down upon those who remained. In yet another act of love, Jesus gave us Mother to the disciple he loved — and to us who follow him. In his farewell greeting, he commissioned his Mother to extend her care to each of us. In turn, we were invited to become her devoted sons and daughters.

Jesus, even in your dying, you cared for us. Despite such deep love, we still fail to recognize the ways you reach out to us.. For dying on the Cross out of love for us, thank you.