The fifth Sorrowful Mystery, Jesus is crucified and dies on the Cross, is the climax of Christ's Passion, a moment marked by pain, sacrifice and profound divine love. This mystery invites us to contemplate the ultimate suffering of Jesus and to meditate on the meaning of his death for our salvation.
After enduring a night of torture, mockery and humiliation, Jesus is taken to Golgotha, the place of the skull, where he will be crucified. There he is nailed to a cross, his hands and feet pierced by nails. Crucifixion is a particularly cruel and painful method of killing, designed to inflict prolonged agony. Jesus, already weakened by the blows and abuse, suffers unimaginable pain as he hangs between heaven and earth.
On the cross, Jesus utters several significant words. Among them, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). These words testify to the depth of the love and compassion of Jesus, who, even in his agony, prayed for the forgiveness of his executioners. This prayer reminds us that divine mercy is always accessible, even for those who commit the cruellest acts.
Next to Jesus, two malefactors are also crucified. One of them mocks him, but the other, known as the Good Thief, acknowledges his own sin and asks Jesus to remember him when he enters his kingdom. Jesus replied: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). This dialogue reveals the instant grace and promise of redemption offered to all who turn to Jesus with faith and repentance.
At the foot of the cross stands Mary, the mother of Jesus, accompanied by the apostle John and some faithful women. Jesus, in an act of filial love, entrusts his mother to John, saying, "Woman, behold your son," and to John, "Behold your mother" (John 19:26-27). With these words, Jesus shows his concern for his mother's well-being and institutes a new family relationship based on faith.
In his last words, Jesus cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), expressing the depth of his sense of human dereliction while quoting Psalm 22, which ends on a note of trust in God. Then, with a final breath, he says: "All is accomplished" (John 19:30), signifying that his mission of redemption is complete. Finally, he places his spirit in the hands of the Father: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46).
Jesus' death on the cross is marked by extraordinary signs: the veil of the temple is torn, the earth trembles, rocks are split and tombs are opened, symbolising the new covenant between God and humanity and the victory over death and sin.
This fifth sorrowful mystery calls us to a profound reflection on Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. Through his death, he bore our sins and offered us the gift of redemption. As we meditate on this mystery, we are invited to acknowledge the gravity of our sins, to accept God's grace, and to live as witnesses to Christ's sacrificial love, responding to his call to love and serve others with compassion and humility.
The crucifixion and death of Jesus are the heart of the Christian faith, a constant reminder of the price of our salvation and of God's infinite love for humanity. In contemplating this mystery, we find the strength and inspiration to carry our own crosses and follow Jesus on the path to eternal life.
