Twelfth Station – Jesus dies upon the cross

Luke 23:44-49

I was dying — and it hurt.  I was alone, so utterly alone.  I had never felt that way before.  I was sinking to hell and wondered if I would come back.  I said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” …

Some of you may think I cried “My God, why have you forsaken me?” only because I was reciting a psalm or fulfilling a Scripture passage.  But I said that because I felt it profoundly.  I was lost.  I was despairing, even if I didn’t stay in despair for very long.  This cry was not pretending.  How could it be?  Could I have lived and died as a man without experiencing despair and doubt?

If someone tells you that faith and hope will keep you from experiencing doubt and despair, do not listen to them.  Faith and hope are opposite sides of doubt and despair.  But they are not as radically different as most people think.  You pass through doubt and despair, not around them.

When you are falling into hell, do what I did.  Shout your anguish directly to my Father.  Complain to him to your very last breath, as I did.  Your complaint will become prayer, even as mine did… and my Father will hear and answer you.