First Word of Jesus on the Cross.
As soon as the executioners had crucified the two thieves and
divided the garment of Jesus between them, they gathered up their
tools, addressed a few more insulting words to our Lord, and went away.
The Pharisees, likewise, rode up to Jesus, looked at him scornfully,
made use of some opprobrious expression, and then left the place. The
Roman soldiers, of whom a hundred had been posted round Calvary, were
marched away, and their places filled by fifty others, the command of
whom was given to Abenadar, an Arab by birth, who afterwards took the
name of Ctesiphon in baptism; and the second in command was Cassius,
who, when he became a Christian, was known by the name of Longinus:
Pilate frequently made use of him as a messenger. Twelve Pharisees,
twelve Sadducees, as many scribes, and a few ancients, accompanied by
those Jews who had been endeavouring to persuade Pilate to change the
inscription on the Cross of Jesus, then came up: they were furious, as
the Roman governor had given them a direct refusal. They rode round the
platform, and drove away the Blessed Virgin, whom St. John led to the
holy women. When they passed the Cross of Jesus, they shook their heads
disdainfully at him, exclaiming at the same time, 'Vah! thou that
destroyest the temple of God, and in three days buildest it up again,
save thyself, coming down from the Cross. Let Christ, the King of
Israel, come down now from the Cross, that we may see and believe.' The
soldiers, likewise, made use of deriding language.
The countenance and whole body of Jesus became even more colourless:
he appeared to be on the point of fainting, and Gesmas (the wicked
thief) exclaimed, 'The demon by whom he is possessed is about to leave
him.' A soldier then took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a
reed, and presented it to Jesus, who appeared to drink. 'If thou art the
King of the Jews,' said the soldier, 'save thyself, coming down from the
Cross.' These things took place during the time that the first band of
soldiers was being relieved by that of Abenadar. Jesus raised his head
a little, and said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'
And Gesmas cried out, 'If thou art the Christ, save thyself and us.' Dismas
(the good thief) was silent, but he was deeply moved at the prayer of
Jesus for his enemies. When Mary heard the voice of her Son, unable to
restrain herself, she rushed forward, followed by John, Salome, and
Mary of Cleophas, and approached the Cross, which the kind-hearted
centurion did not prevent. The prayers of Jesus obtained for the good
thief a moist powerful grace; he suddenly remembered that it was Jesus
and Mary who had cured him of leprosy in his childhood, and he
exclaimed in a loud and clear voice, 'How can you insult him when he
prays for you? He has been silent, and suffered all your outrages with
patience; he is truly a Prophet--he is our King--he is the Son of God.' This
unexpected reproof from the lips of a miserable malefactor who was
dying on a cross caused a tremendous commotion among the spectators;
they gathered up stones, and wished to throw them at him; but the
centurion Abenadar would not allow it.
The Blessed Virgin was much comforted and strengthened by the prayer
of Jesus, and Dismas said to Gesmas, who was still blaspheming Jesus,
'Neither dost thou fear God, seeing thou art under the same condemnation.
And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but
this man hath done no evil. Remember thou art now at the point of
death, and repent.' He was enlightened and touched: he confessed his sins
to Jesus, and said: 'Lord, if thou condemnest me it will be with justice.'
And Jesus replied, 'Thou shalt experience my mercy.' Dismas, filled with
the most perfect contrition, began instantly to thank God for the great
graces he had received, and to reflect over the manifold sins of his
past life. All these events took place between twelve and the half-hour
shortly after the crucifixion; but such a surprising change had taken
place in the appearance of nature during that time as to astonish the
beholders and fill their minds with awe and terror.