So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of The Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilot also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to pilot, “Do not write, ‘the King of the Jews.’ but, ‘this man said, I am king of the Jews.’“ Pilot answered, “What I have written I have written.”
Meanwhile standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” and from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19: 17 – 22, 25 – 30
John was standing at the foot of the cross with Mary, both witnessing the most gruesome death of their dearest loved one. Jesus looks at them and makes sure they are joined together as Mother and son. John would later write “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believed in Him would not perish, but would have everlasting life.” This one sentence has profoundly changed countless individuals’ lives, including myself. Jesus died for our sins. His love for each of us, every single one of us, is poured out as His blood left His dying body. This is the ultimate pivotal moment in all history – everything changed on that cross.
Let us pray with St. Gregory:
Since today is a blessed day when morning came twice dividing day into equal parts when the passing creatures of the earth were transformed into a different and heavenly immutable beings
when the high were laid low and the humble raised up
making this the most awesome day of lent, holy Friday,
when it is fitting for me to write this prayer voicing joy mixed with terror
therefore I think it appropriate to speak now of this suffering you endured for me, God of all.
You stood, with my nature, before a tribunal of your creatures,
and did not speak, giver of speech.
You did not utter a word, creator of tongues.
You did not release your voice, shaker of the world.
You did not make a sound, trumpet of majesty.
You did not answer back with accounts of your good deeds.
You did not silence them with their wrongs.
You did not deliver your betrayer to death.
You did not struggle when bound.
You did not squirm when whipped.
You did not fight back when spat upon.
You did not resist when beaten.
You did not take affront when mocked.
You did not frown when ridiculed.
They stripped you of your cloak, as from a weakling, and dressed you like a condemned prisoner.
If my Lord had not been forced twice to drink vinegar and gall, he would not have been able to cleanse me of the accumulated bile of our forefathers.
He tasted heartbreak and did not waver.
They dragged him violently and brought him back disrespectfully.
They condemned him, humiliated him by flogging before a motley crowd.
They knelt before him in ridicule and put a crown of disdain upon his head.
They gave you no rest, Life-giver, even forcing you to bear the instrument of your death.
You accepted with forbearance.
You received it with sweetness.
You bore it with patience.
You submitted to the wooden cross of grief, like one condemned.
Like a lily of the field, you shouldered the weapon of life, so that your throne in my body
might be protected against the terrors of the night turning the last judgment into a joyful banquet.
They led him out like a sacrificial lamb.
They hung him like Isaac’s ram whose horns were caught in the thicket.
They spread him on the table of the cross like a sacrifice.
They nailed him like a common criminal.
They persecuted you, like an outlaw, treating
you in your serenity, like a bandit,
you in your majesty, like a miserable wretch,
you who are adored by cherubim, like a despised man,
you who are the definition of life, like one deserving of a slaughter,
you, the author of the gospels, like one who blasphemed the law,
you, the Lord and the fulfillment of the prophets, like one who cut the Scriptures,
you, the radiance of glory and the image of the mystery of the Father,
beyond mortal understanding,
as if you are the adversary
of the will of him who bore you,
you who are blessed, like someone banished,
you who came to release the bonds of the law, like a heretic,
you, the consuming fire, like a condemned prisoner,
you who inspire awe in heaven and earth, like one deserving punishment,
you, covered in unapproachable light, like some earthly quarry.
O, sweet Lord, forbearing doer of good, merciful and compassionate,
Lord of all, who for the sake of infirm and unruly servants like me
submitted to everything willingly according to your plan
together with your perfectly human body,
submitted even to the sleepy tomb of the sepulchre,
who lack nothing of divine perfection,
being identical with God who is beyond human understanding,
yet bore human indignity with patience beyond words,
you rose with your body, alive and of your own power,
in exalted light, with undiminished humanity and flawless divinity.
You are blessed for your glory
praised for your compassion,
and always exalted for your mercy,
forever and ever.
Amen.
Prayer 77 A, B, C, D
