Pause
The soldiers led Jesus outside the walls of Jerusalem to Golgotha which means ‘the place of the skull’. They nailed him to the cross and fastened a notice to it that read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ While they waited for Jesus to die, the soldiers cast dice to see which one of them could have Jesus’ robe for themselves. When Jesus became thirsty, they offered him a sponge soaked in vinegar. At three o’clock that day Jesus died.
Because Jesus suffered and died as one of us, but rose again, the cross is a sign of hope for anyone who is suffering.
Ponder
Think of situations of pain and suffering known to you. Reflect on how the cross of Christ might be a sign of hope for those people.
Pray
Spend some time before the cross.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you; by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.