Wednesday, May 30, 2007



Meditation 66

ON CALVARY - THE CRUCIFIXION

1. Preparations for the Crucifixion.
See now the arrival in Calvary. After the excruciating way of the cross, Jesus has finally reached there not without having several times stumbled and fallen to the ground. Crushed by the pain and the fatigue, He is exhausted, pale, bloodstained. The executioners also have arrived, and wasting no time they set about preparing all the requirements for the crucifixion of Our Lord and of the thieves. Follow His poor Mother at this moment. She also has climbed the hill. She knows what is awaiting Her. Yet, courageous and resolute, She is ready to bear it. The execution of a man, no matter how big a criminal he has been, is always an impressive and horrible sight. What, then, would that scene cause in the sensitive heart of Mary, His Mother! Do not leave Her. Let the crowds climb Calvary out of hatred or curiosity; you remain near the sorrowful Mother and while watching listen to the pantings of Her heart.


The executioners brutally tear away from Jesus all His garments. Fresh blood gushes from those renewed wounds. He remains bruised and naked, exposed to the eager eyes of the spectators. Hear the laughter and vulgarities of the soldiers and of the executioners. Maybe His own Jewish people echoed the same mocking cries. And try to hear the echoes in the heart of Mary. What would Her heart feel on seeing Her Jesus in such state? Presently, He is stretched with violence on the cross. They grasp one of His hands, press it on the wood, apply a nail and vigorously strike it home with the hammer. A shudder runs across the body of Jesus as the nail pierces His wrist. Observe His lips compressed in pain. See Him choking back the cry that would escape from His mouth. His eyes filled with unvoluntary tears, are lifted to Heaven. He looks at His Father. His thoughts run to you. He speaks to you. "This," He says, "is for you."

Then another blow of the hammer, then another, and another until both hands and feet are nailed to the cross. Can you not see those nails piercing the heart of His Mother? All those blows find terrible echo in Her heart. She felt every blow as fiercely as He did. She also shuddered. She also looked to Heaven. She also though of you. But how do you feel? What do you do on seeing Jesus and His Mother in such an ordeal?

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

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