St. Leonard's Way of the Cross: Eleventh Station

Jesus is crucified

You have finally arrived at Calvary, my dear Jesus. You have arrived, dragged along like a lowly criminal, beaten and kicked, pulled with ropes, accompanied by two thieves for your greater humiliation.

What a horrible sight! The hammering of nails into your hands and feet, the sharpest thorns on your head, God transfixed on a most painful cross. So much confusion, so much blood! Who can contemplate you, my Jesus, and not be heartbroken with compassion?

Permit me to draw near to you, my dying Redeemer. Since my sins have brought you to death, I want to kiss that cross, to take shelter in those wounds, to drink of that most precious blood. Blood and wounds of my Jesus, which have redeemed me, save me. I beg of you, save me.

Reading: Matthew 27:33-38; Mark 15:22-27; Luke 23:33-34; John 19:18