229. The Seven Words of the Lord From the Cross: First—A Prayer for Those Who Crucify Him. Mt. 27:39–43; Mk. 15:29–32; Lk. 23:34–35

The people stood before the cross watching. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying: Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days! Save yourself. If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross. The rulers mocked him likewise; similarly the chief priests with the scribes and elders and Pharisees, mocking, said to one another: He saved others, but he cannot save himself! Let him save himself, if he is the Christ, the chosen one of God. Christ, King of Israel! If he is the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe in him. He trusted in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said: I am the Son of God. The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying: If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.

Seeing all this and hearing it, the Lord Jesus said: Father! forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.