A 7 Day Journey with the Church FathersPrimjer

Today, on Good Friday, we read of the brutal crucifixion of Jesus: When Jesus had drunk the wine mingled with myrrh and vinegar, he said, “‘It is finished,’ for the mystery has been fulfilled. The things that are written have been accomplished.” (Cyril of Jerusalem, Sins are Forgiven, Catechetical Lectures 13:32) Jesus, since he had not been stabbed and was expected to hang a long time on the cross and endure greater torments, prayed to the Father and was heard. Immediately on crying to the Father, he was taken. Or, as one who had the power to lay down his life, he laid it doesn when he wanted to. (Origen, Commentary of Matthew 140)