As the Cross was raised atop Calvary's hill, multitudes were quickly drawn to Jesus. Today our attention is still riveted on the Man of the Cross. He draws us all to Himself. We may cherish Him, we may despise Him, we may puzzle over Him. But we cannot ignore Him. Sooner or later, we each must choose: will we, like His mother, take our place with Him or remain indifferent like the mob? Anne Catherine insisted, the Cross becomes a tree of life.

When they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), they offered Him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when He tasted it, He would not drink it. And when they had crucified Him, they divided His garments among them by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over Him there. And over His head they put the charge against Him, which read, "This is Jesus the King of the Jews." Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. - Matthew 27:33-38

With excerpts from:

• The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich (https://bit.ly/3kaeP6l)
• The Mystical City of God by Ven. Mary of Agreda (https://bit.ly/3IhySaO)

GET THE BOOK - The Passion: Reflections on the Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ by Paul Thigpen (https://bit.ly/3IiSNpM)