51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open…”
Matthew 27: 51-52
Those moment right after Christ Died must have been the most chaotic moment ever. . The sun refused to shine and there was an earthquake. In this painting, the somber clouds are heavy with sorrow. The rain is pelting the earth with strong force. For those who loved the Lord, it must have felt as if all life on earth had been drained of its “life blood”. I can only imagine how Our Blessed Mother felt at holding her lifeless Son and God in her arms. In this painting, her arms are not shown, as in a manner, she suffered in solidarity with her Son. St. John, the beloved disciple, has placed his head on Jesus’ Sacred Breast. He is recalling how less than twenty four hours before, he had done the same, and had felt His Heartbeat. St. Mary Magdalene is weeping at the Lord’s Sacred Feet. She recalls that day when she came to Him in such sorrow for her sins and how He had lovingly embraced her and forgiven her and was not ashamed to be with her. Though He Died as a criminal in the eyes of the people, she is not ashamed to be with Him.