Reflections on the 11th Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross and the hymn “O Sacred Head Surrounded”
By this time, Jesus’ disciples must have thought all was lost. They watched him go through humiliation, and physical and mental abuse. Jesus begin nailed to the cross was the last straw to which His followers must have resigned themselves. The poignant, yet beautiful hymn, “O Sacred Head Surrounded” speaks of the crown which Jesus’ defilers forced on His head which began the painful journey to the cross. Jesus, the God-made-man, was adored by the “angel hosts” and they “tremble” as they watched. The lyrics of “O Sacred Head Surrounded” seems to allude to even the angels not knowing the glorious outcome of the crucifixion. __ Deb Kaiser, cantor and choir member
Reflection on the 12th Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross and the hymn “Jesus, Remember Me” “Jesus Remember Me” is perhaps our shortest hymn, only one sentence, but it is the most powerful sentence we can sing!
Crucifixion is a horrific death. The good thief rather than mocking Jesus as the soldiers and bad thief did, chose to acknowledge his sinfulness and acknowledge that Jesus was the Messiah. As he was dying in agony, he simply asked for Jesus to remember him in Heaven.
As sinners, we too, must acknowledge our sins and ask for forgiveness even if it is at the last minute. It’s amazing that the thief was dying an excruciating death but still had the humility and faith to believe that Jesus was his Savior, could forgive his sins and reward him in Heaven for eternity.
Following his example, how wonderful it would be that with our last breath, we could ask for forgiveness of our sins and pray “Jesus remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And hear Jesus say, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” _Kathleen Derr, choir member