The cross becomes a pulpit now --
"Forgive them, Father ...
You will be with me in Paradise ...
There is your mother ...
There ... your son ...
I thirst.. It is complete."

To speak I have to raise myself
by pressing on my wrists and feet,
and every move engulfs me in new
waves of agony.

And then, when I have borne enough,
have emptied my humanity,
I let my mortal life depart.

O Lord, death, your death and ours, it is truly the hardest part of living for us to understand for we cannot in our mortal selves see beyond it. It is only through faith that we can see, the faith you had in thy Father which carried you through the torment.

Guide us O Lord, remind us always that faith will carry us through even the deepest of deaths and loss.

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen

The soldiers hurry to nail his legs into place. More hammer blows. More pain. The soldiers have finished, its now been three hours since the procession moved off at 6a.m.

As Pilate had ordered, a soldier placed a notice written in Aramic, Latin and Greek reading "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" (John 19:20) Immediately, the elders protested vehemently. They left immediately to protest to Pilate, to no avail.

Jesus's mother and the women, accompanied by John moved towards the cross. They asked if they could stay near and sat a quiet vigil, their throats blocked by a heavy pain which rose from their throats.

Jesus looked down, seeing them whispered to his mother "Dear woman, here is your son" (John 19:26) and to the disciple John "Here is your mother" (John 19:27)

Time passed slowly, three hours of agonizing pain passed as dark heavy clouds covered the sun. An eerie silence enveloped the spur of Calvary. Only the heavy suffocating breathing of condemned lungs slowly giving way could be heard.

Jesus said "I am thirsty". (John 19:28) A soldier offered him wine mixed with myrrh, he declined.

The two robbers started arguing about Jesus. Looking at one of them he said "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43).

Silence on the hill. Festive chaos in the city.

Jesus gathered his breathe and screamed aloud "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? -- My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) He prayed aloud, his lungs making a whistling sound, pain etched on his face and body, extremities turning a bluish black. The sky was overcast and darkness fell on the city.

Those under the cross heard him whisper "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46) A few moments later he almost screamed "It is finished" With that he breathed his last.

At that instant, the earth shook, rocks split, the curtain in the temple ripped from top to bottom. The centurion guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and said "Surely he was the Son of God" (Matthew 27:54).

Jesus died at the ninth hour (3p.m.) on the Cross at Calvary.