<p class="title_brown">The crucifixion and death of Jesus</p>

<p class="normal_text"><br />
We contemplate the mystery of <em>the crucifixion and death of Jesus</em>, meditating on the words from the Gospel according to Saint John:</p>

<p class="quote">When he had received the drink, Jesus said, &laquo;It is finished&raquo;. With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus&rsquo; side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.<br />
&nbsp;[Jo 19,30.33-34]</p>

<p class="normal_text">With the death of Jesus, human eyes stopped being able to look up to the hights: all now is earthly; it makes no sense to raise up the eyes, for the promised help is no longer possible. In that scenario, there are some signs, but not all that inhabit the place of Calvary will notice: from the open side of the dead body flows blood and water. For the majority, the landscape shortens to the human level: one can only see broken legs, shed blood, raised crosses, consummated death. Those who were born from that open side that only some saw, know, nevertheless, that death did not have the last word, but that Jesus was the death of the death.<br />
&nbsp;In Fatima, the pains of the Calvary are also felt, prolonged in time whenever war and hate oppress the righteous. In Cova da Iria, Mary talked about that immense pain that results from the death of God, withdrawing Christ from the middle of men and women.<br />
Virgin of Fatima, Lady of the Calvary, intercede for us next to Christ so that His redeeming death may attract all, from North to South, from West to East!</p>
