Scene 26: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb (Station 14)

Jesus was borne to the tomb

In the same quarter where he was crucified there was a garden, with a new tomb in it, one in which no man had ever yet been buried; Joseph had fashioned it for himself out of the rock. Here, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus, rolling a great stone against the door of the tomb. It was the day of preparation; the next day was the sabbath.

Mary Magdalene and the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed, and saw the tomb, and how his body was buried; so they went back, and prepared spices and ointments, and while it was the sabbath they kept still, as the law commanded. The stone was sealed and guards were set at the entrance to the tomb.

Many followed

Scene 25: Jesus is Taken Down form the Cross (Station 13)

May I have the body of Jesus?

A rich man called Joseph came forward, one of the councillors, a good and upright man, who had not taken part with the council and its doings; he was from Arimathea, a Jewish city, and was a disciple of Jesus, but in secret, for fear of the Jews. It was already evening; and because it was the day of preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, he boldly went to Pilate, and asked to have the body of Jesus.
Joseph said, "Sir, may I have the body of Jesus the Nazarene?"
Pilate replied, "I am astonished that he should have died so soon. Centurion. Is it as he has said? Has the man Jesus died already?"
Longinus answered, "Yes, he is dead."
Pilate agreed and told Joseph, "Very well Joseph, you may have his body by my authority. Dispose of it as you will."

His side was pierced 

The Jews would not let the bodies remain crucified on the sabbath, because that sabbath day was a solemn one; and since it was now the eve, they had asked Pilate that the bodies might have their legs broken, and be taken away. And so the soldiers came and broke the legs both of the one and of the other that were crucified with him.

When they came to Jesus, and found him already dead, they did not break his legs, but one of the soldiers thrust a spear into his side; and immediately blood and water flowed out.

This was so ordained to fulfil what is written, ‘Not a single bone of his shall be broken.’
And again, another passage in scripture says, ‘They will look upon the man whom they have pierced.

And blood and water flowed

 The Roman Soldiers lowered the cross, placing Jesus on some prepared linen on the ground. The Centurion, Longinus, directs his soldiers to let Mary through.

Joseph of Aramethea came when Jesus’ body was taken down; and with him was Nicodemus, the same who made his first visit to Jesus by night; he brought with him a mixture of myrrh and aloes, of about a hundred pounds weight.
They took Jesus’ body, then, and wrapped it in a clean linen sheet with the spices; that is how the Jews prepare a body for burial.

A pieta moment

Scene 24: Jesus Dies on the Cross (Station 12)

I am thirsty

From noon onwards the sun was darkened; there was darkness over all the land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi Eloi, lama sabachthani?"

This meant “My God My God, why have you abandoned me?”
When some of those standing there heard this they said, "Listen, he is calling on Elijah."

Now Jesus knew well that all was achieved which the scripture demanded for its accomplishment; and he said, "I am thirsty."

There was a jar there full of vinegar, and thereupon one of the soldiers ran to fetch a sponge, which he filled with vinegar and fixed upon a javelin, and offered to let him drink.
One of the crowd called out, "Wait! Let us see if Elijah will come and save him!"

Jesus drank the vinegar and said, "It is accomplished!"

And crying with a loud voice, he said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."

And Jesus died.

Jesus, bowing his head, breathed his last.
All at once, the veil of the sanctuary was torn from top to bottom, and the earth shook, and the rocks parted asunder; and the graves were opened, and many bodies arose out of them, bodies of holy men gone to their rest: who, after his rising again, left their graves and went into the holy city, where they were seen by many.

Scene 23: Jesus is placed on the cross (Station 11)

He was placed between two criminals

It was the sixth hour when they crucified him. Jesus looked out at those nearby and said, "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing."

It was not yet noon and with him they crucified two thieves, one on his right and one on his left.
Pilate had written out a proclamation, which he put on the cross; it ran, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.’
This proclamation was read by many of the Jews, since the place where Jesus was crucified was close to the city; it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

One of his left

Hearing the crowd rebuking Jesus, Gestas, one of the criminals hanging with him also abused him, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and then save us too!"
But Dysmas, the other criminal, had been watching Jesus and was filled with remorse, "Have you no fear of God? It is true we were sentenced as we deserved and are paying for what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong. Oh Jesus, please remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus looked on Dysmas with love and said, "Truly I promise you, this day you will be with me in paradise."

And one on his right

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother Mary, John his beloved disciple, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas and Mary of Magdalene. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son."
Jesus then turned to John and said, "Behold, this is your mother."

From that hour the disciple took her into his own keeping.

Woman, behold your son.

Scene 22: Jesus is Stripped of his Garments (Station 10)

They nailed him to a cross

They gambled for his clothes

When the soldiers had finished crucifying Jesus, they took his clothing and divided it among themselves. His outer garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they decided to gamble for the garment.

The Centurion noticed his men arguing over who would get the clothes so told them, "Throw dice. Let that decide who is to have it.
So they placed a game of dance, rolling dice and soon was heard, "Yes it’s mine!"

In this way Scripture was fulfilled: "They shared out my clothing and divided it among them, they cast lots for my clothes".
This is exactly what the soldiers did.

Scene 21: Jesus Falls a Third Time (Station 9)

Falling

Down

 Jesus fell for a third time.

Watching with different reactions

Scene 20: Jesus meets the Women of Jerusalem (Station 8)

A lot of Women and Children of Jerusalem

The Centurion Longinus sees Jesus is about to fall again and calls a halt. He is concerned that Jesus won't make it to the place of crucifixion.
Sensing the pause, the Temple Guards get frustrated and push at the Roman Soldiers who push back and there is a clash.
While the Centurion rushes to sort out the mess, the women of Jerusalem meet Jesus.

The called, "Jesus why? Why?
Ohhh your wounds.
Your wounds your pain."
Jesus replied, "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but rather for yourselves and your children."

Don't cry for me...

Having sorted out the scuffle between the temple guards and his men, the Centurions turns to see Jesus with all these crying women and children.
"Get back!" he called as he gets his men to push them back.
Jesus once more braced himself to continue the final part of his Way of the Cross, still assisted by Simon of Cyrene.

Cry for you and your children.

Romans and Jews clashing

Crying.

Scene 19: Jesus falls a Second time (Station 7)

Jesus is very weak from his tortures

 Jesus, even with the help of Simon of Cyrene, is still weakened and falls again.
The centurion Longinus has been close to Jesus from the time Pilate asked him to bring Jesus to Pilate and throughout his punishment and interviews with Pilate.
Something has to give. You can see him changing from an uncaring professional soldier just doing his duty to one that is trying to reduce the needless suffering and perhaps even more at the end.
Simon of Cyrene continues to do his best to support the cross, but Jesus has had no sleep for at least 36 hours, plus his arrest, beatings, torture and stress, combined wth blood loss, makes this a very difficult journey.

The Centurion looks on

Simon watches on as Jesus recovers

Once more ...

Scene 18: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus (Station 6)

Veronica wipes Jesus face

Facing the unruly actions of some of the crowd, the Romans are forced to distance the crowd from Jesus.
The centurion ordered his men, "Soldiers! Keep those people back!"

As the soldiers were otherwise occupied, Jesus drooped and Simon of Cyrene supported more of the Cross.
The woman Veronica, seeing Jesus with his face bathed in sweat and blood, quickly stepped up to Jesus and presented him with her veil with which to wipe his face.

The soldiers, having pushed back the crowd, saw Veronica and moved her back as well.

Look! He is a holy man!

Veronica looked sadly as Jesus once more took up his cross and continued on his way. She opened the veil, and saw the amazing bloody imprint of Jesus’ face. She held up the veil imprinted with Jesus' image and loudly informed the crowd of her discovery.

"Look!
He is a holy man!
Look at his face on my veil!"

(If you want to read more about the Veil of Veronica, which can still be seen today, you can read about it here and here.)

Who are these people?

Interlude: The two criminals march to their crucifixion

Get a move on!

The two criminals, Dysmas and Gestas, were at the front of the procession to the place of crucifixion under the guard of the Roman soldier Gaius.
Whenever there was some disturbance that allowed a meeting of Jesus with someone else or a fall, the two criminals made an escape attempt or otherwise caused the Roman lots of grief.
This was great example of what all the actors did during the re-enactment. They made the role they played more human and not just an off screen extra. In an event like this no one can see all the re-enactment. So each actor is a part of the play, even it is away from the central focus of Jesus. This meant that thousands of people all saw a unique version of the event as everyone's view was different.

Come back here!

What are you looking at!

Scene 17: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the Cross (Station 5)

You! Carry his cross!

Longinus calls another halt, concerned with the condition of Jesus.
A passer-by named Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was in Jerusalem from the country for the festival and was watching the events unfold.
Longinus shouts, "HALT! The prisoner is not going to make it, let him rest a moment."
He looked around at the crowd, and spotted Simon of Cyrene.
"YOU! You have volunteered to help carry the prisoner’s cross before he dies here on the road."

Longinus asked, "What is your name?"
Simon replied quickly, "My name is Simon, Sir."

"You will help this man to carry his cross. Unless you desire to join him on a cross of your own!"
Simon looked behind him and pointed to his two sons, Alexander and Rufus, "But my children..."

But what about my children?

Sharing the cross

Longinus pushed him to the cross and said, "Not my problem. Have them follow us. Now move!"

Bloodied back

Scene 16: Jesus meets his Mother, Mary (Station 4)

Mary gets to see Jesus

The Centurion Longinus commanded a halt to let Jesus recover. Jesus sees his mother, Mary.

Jesus stretched out and touched Mary’s cheek with his bloodied hand.

Distraught with sorrow, Mary cries, "My son, what have they done to you?"


Jesus replied, "It is the Lord’s will my mother, let us rejoice."

A moment before the end

Comforted by John and Mary Magdalene

Scene 15: Jesus Falls the First time (Station 3)

Weakened

Down but not out

Jesus falls the first time. Exhausted by his torture, lack of sleep and exertions, Jesus has great difficulty carrying the Cross, shouldering his burden for our salvation.

Helping Jesus back on to his cross

Dysmas - the Good criminal

Scene 14: Jesus Carries his Cross (Station 2)

My yoke is light ...

 Like nothing else in all the world the Crucifix asks the question: ‘Where do you stand?’

‘Which side will you take from this moment on — My side, or the side of moneyed Judas, cowardly Pilate, crafty Caiaphas, or lustful Herod?’

We cannot escape an answer. If on that Cross were someone who himself had been wrong and failed and had compromised with goodness, we could plead and excuse. But here neutrality is impossible, because there is no question of something more good or less good — there is only right and wrong.… We cannot be on both sides, anymore than we can be in Light and Darkness at the same time…

As we participate in the final stage of Jesus’ Way of the Cross consider what Jesus has done for you.

(That small meditation is from Cardinal Fulton Sheen)

Man Standard leading the procession

Guarded by Longinus and encouraged by Brutus

He carries His cross

Scene 13: Jesus is Condemned to Death (Station 1)

Here is your king.

We now start the Way of the Cross.
Up to this point has been the Passion of Our Lord bringing him to now where he is finally condemned to death as he foretold to his disciples.
We have a scene for each of the 14 Stations of the Cross you see in every Church. These began in early days, but once the Holy Land was blocked by the Muslims, churches began to have them inside and by the 16th to 18th centuries settled on the standard 14 we have here. Read more about the Stations of the Cross here.

I find nothing wrong with him.

I wash my hands of this matter!

Jesus, scourged and abused, was returned to Pilate. Hoping the sight of Jesus punished would placate the crowd Pilate once again addressed them.

"Behold! The man!"
"See, I am bringing him out to you, to show that I cannot find any fault in him."
But the crowd yelled, "Crucify him, crucify him!"
Pilate appealed to them, "Take him yourselves and try him by your own law. I cannot find any fault in him."
Caiaphas replied,"We have our own law, and by our law he ought to die for pretending to be the Son of God."

Pilate turned to Jesus and asked, "From where have you come?"
But Jesus made no reply.
Pilate was annoyed at Jesus as he knew that death was on the line, "You refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that only I have the power to release you or to have you crucified?"
Jesus looked at Pilate and replied, "You have no power over me but that which is given to you from above. That is why the man who handed me over to you has the greater guilt."

After this Pilate is all for releasing Jesus, but the crowd kept crying out, getting more unruly. The guards were told to strengthen their positions and keep the crowd calm, but the unruliness continued.

Caiaphas looked up at Pilate and said sweetly, "You are no friend of Caesar if you release him. The man who pretends to be a king is Caesar’s rival."

When Pilate heard them speak like this he sat down on the judgement seat and pondered his situation. It was now about Noon on the eve of the Paschal feast.

Pilate stood up and pointed at Jesus and made another attempt to just release him, "See? Here is your King!"
The crowd yelled, "Away with him! Crucify him!"
Pilate was surprised and asked, "What? Shall I crucify your king?"

Caiaphas then stepped up, reminding Pilate of the official Roman position. He certainly didn't accept Caesar as his king, but neither he didn't recognise Jesus as king. This claim was to remind Pilate that if Jesus was released he would effectively be backing a rival to Caesar which was exactly what Pilate was in his position to stop.
Caiaphas said, "We have no king but Caesar."
The crowd reinforced Caiaphas and shouted, "Caesar! Caesar!"

Pilate, finding his good attempts counted for nothing and the uproar only became worse, sent for water and washed his hands in full sight of the crowd.
"I am innocent of this man’s blood, it is your concern."
The crowd was now fully enthusiastic and yelled, "His blood be upon us and upon our children."

Shaking his head, Pilate beckoned to Longinus, "Centurion, do as they ask."