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The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.Anne Catherine Emmerichcount them. His legs and thighs, as also his arms, were stretched out almost to dislocation, the fleshand muscles so completely laid bare that every bone was visible, and his whole body covered withblack, green, and reeking wounds. The blood which flowed from his wounds was at first red, butit became by degrees light and watery, and the whole appearance of his body was that of a corpseready for interment. And yet, notwithstanding the horrible wounds with which he was covered,notwithstanding the state of ignominy to which he was reduced, there still remained that inexpressiblelook of dignity and goodness which had ever filled all beholders with awe.260The complexion of our Lord was fair, like that of Mary, and slightly tinted with red; but his exposureto the weather during the last three years had tanned him considerably. His chest was wide, but nothairy like that of St. John Baptist; his shoulders broad, and his arms and thighs sinewy; his kneeswere strong and hardened, as is usually the case with those who have either walked or knelt much,and his legs long, with very strong muscles; his feet were well formed, and his hands beautiful, thefingers being long and tapering, and although not delicate like those of a woman, still not resemblingthose of a man who had laboured hard. His neck was rather long, with a well-set and finelyproportioned head; his forehead large and high; his face oval; his hair, which was far from thick,was of a golden brown colour, parted in the middle and falling over his shoulders; his beard wasnot any great length, but pointed and divided under the chin. When I contemplated him on the cross,his hair was almost all torn off, and what remained was matted and clotted with blood; his bodywas one wound, and every limb seemed as if dislocated.The crosses of the two thieves were placed, the one to the right and the other to the left of Jesus;there was sufficient space left for a horseman to ride between them. Nothing can be imagined moredistressing than the appearance of the thieves on their crosses; they suffered terribly, and the oneon the left-hand side never ceased cursing and swearing. The cords with which they were tied werevery tight, and caused great pain; their countenances were livid, and their eyes inflamed and readyto start from the sockets. The height of the crosses of the two thieves was much less than that ofour Lord.CHAPTER XLII.First Word of Jesus on the Cross.261As soon as the executioners had crucified the two thieves and divided the garments of Jesus betweenthem, they gathered up their tools, addressed a few more insulting words to our Lord, and wentaway. The Pharisees, likewise, rode up to Jesus, looked at him scornfully, made use of someopprobrious expressions, and then left the place. The Roman soldiers, of whom a hundred had beenposted round Calvary, were marched away, and their places filled by fifty others, the command ofwhom was given to Abenadar, an Arab by birth, who afterwards took the name of Ctésiphon inbaptism; and the second in command was Cassius, who, when he became a Christian, was known150
The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.Anne Catherine Emmerichby 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 beenendeavouring to persuade Pilate to change the inscription on the Cross of Jesus, then came up: theywere 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 theCross of Jesus, they shook their heads disdainfully at him, exclaiming at the same time, ‘Vah! thouthat destroyest the temple of God, and in three days buildest it up again, save thyself, coming downfrom the Cross. Let Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the Cross, that we may seeand believe.’ The soldiers, likewise, made use of deriding language.262The countenance and whole body of Jesus became even more colourless: he appeared to be on thepoint of fainting, and Gesmas (the wicked thief) exclaimed, ‘The demon by whom he is possessedis about to leave him.’ A soldier then took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, andpresented it to Jesus, who appeared to drink. If thou art the King of the Jews,’ said the soldier, ‘savethyself, coming down from the Cross.’ These things took place during the time that the first bandof 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, savethyself and us.’ Dismas (the good thief) was silent, but he was deeply moved at the prayer of Jesusfor his enemies. When Mary heard the voice of her Son, unable to restrain herself, she rushedforward, followed by John, Salome, and Mary of Cleophas, and approached the Cross, which thekind-hearted centurion did not prevent. The prayers of Jesus obtained for the good thief a mostpowerful grace; he suddenly remembered that it was Jesus and Mary who had cured him of leprosyin his childhood, and he exclaimed in a loud and clear voice, ‘How can you insult him when heprays for you? He has been silent, and suffered all your outrages with patience; he is truly aProphet—he is our King—he is the Son of God.’ This unexpected reproof from the lips of a miserablemalefactor who was dying on a cross caused a tremendous commotion among the spectators; theygathered up stones, and wished to throw them at him; but the centurion Abenadar would not allowit.The Blessed Virgin was much comforted and strengthened by the prayer of Jesus, and Dismas saidto Gesmas, who was still blaspheming Jesus, ‘Neither dost thou fear God, seeing thou art underthe same condemnation. And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but thisman hath done no evil. Remember thou art now at the point of death, and repent.’ He was enlightenedand touched: he confessed his sins to Jesus, and said: ‘Lord, if thou condemnest me it will be withjustice.’ And Jesus replied, ‘Thou shalt experience my mercy.’ Dismas, filled with the most perfectcontrition, began instantly to thank God for the great graces he had received, and to reflect overthe manifold sins of his past life. All these events took place between twelve and the half-hourshortly after the crucifixion; but such a surprising change ad taken place in the appearance of natureduring that time as to astonish the beholders and fill their minds with awe and terror.151
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