V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. (You may bow your head or genuflect)
R. Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

Read and Listen: (Lk 23:44-47)

It was now around midday, and darkness came over the whole land until mid-afternoon with an eclipse of the sun. The curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two. Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." After he said this, he expired. The centurion, upon seeing what had happened, gave glory to God by saying, "Surely this was an innocent man."

Reflect

Death is a dreaded reality, only if we do not know what is beyond it. No living person may have experienced what is there after death. But at least, we have seen through the witnessing of Jesus' apostles and the lives of those faithful ones that indeed He has risen. There is life even beyond death with Jesus. We profess with the Church that "in death, life is not ended, but only changed." We are transformed into the glorious state with the Lord. He himself went through a process of self-emptying before the Father took Him up to a new life. St. Paul exhorts to follow the way of Jesus our Lord in this hymn to Jesus: "Though he was in the form of God, he did not deem something to be grasped at. Rather, he emptied himself and took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. He was known to be of human estate, and it was thus that he humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross! Because of this, God highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name above every other name, so that at Jesus' name, every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!" Jesus has conquered death—for us. Let us also conquer it in our own life of union with the Lord.

Pray

Dear Jesus, since we know that beyond your death, you rise again, I mourn not over this sad event. I am grateful for the gift of redemption which you have won for me and for the rest of mankind. Thank you for your love to save us all. In your rising, I fear death no more. However, since this life is an ongoing voyage, help me always to entrust everything to you. Teach me to lose my life so that I may preserve it in you. I pray for my departed loved ones and for all who have left this world. Receive them into your kingdom and grant them peace. I pray also for those who have died violently in accidents, suicide, or who simply vanished. Bless their bereaved families and loved ones. Bless each one of us who remain in this life that we may live like you, and as we look forward to our eternal union with you. Jesus, remember me always that I may join you and all your loved ones in Paradise. Amen. (You may say the Our Father before you go to the next station.)