if He pleased, have escaped the tortures of His
Passion?
A. Christ could, if He pleased, have escaped the tortures of His
Passion, because He foresaw them and had it in His power to overcome His
enemies.

Q. 379. Was it necessary for Christ to suffer so much in order to redeem
us?
A. It was not necessary for Christ to suffer so much in order to redeem
us, for the least of His sufferings was more than sufficient to atone
for all the sins of mankind. By suffering so much He showed His great
love for us.

Q. 380. Who betrayed Our Lord?
A. Judas, one of His Apostles, betrayed Our Lord, and from His sin we
may learn that even the good may become very wicked by the abuse of
their free will.

Q. 381. How was Christ condemned to death?
A. Through the influence of those who hated Him, Christ was condemned to
death, after an unjust trial, at which false witnesses were induced to
testify against Him.

Q. 382. {79} On what day did Christ die?
A. Christ died on Good Friday.

Q. 383. {80} Why do you call that day "good" on which Christ died so
sorrowful a death?
A. We call that day good on which Christ died because by His death He
showed His great love for man, and purchased for him every blessing.

Q. 384. How long was Our Lord hanging on the cross before He died?
A. Our Lord was hanging on the Cross about three hours before He died.
While thus suffering, His enemies stood around blaspheming and mocking
Him. By His death He proved Himself a real mortal man, for He could not
die in His divine nature.

Q. 385. What do we call the words Christ spoke while hanging on the
Cross?
A. We call the words Christ spoke while hanging on the Cross "the seven
last words of Jesus on the Cross." They teach us the dispositions we
should have at the hour of death.

Q. 386. Repeat the seven last words or sayings of Jesus on the Cross.
A. The seven last words or sayings of Jesus on the Cross are: (1)
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," in which He
forgives and prays for His enemies. (2) "Amen, I say to thee, this day
thou shalt be with Me in Paradise," in which He pardons the penitent
sinner. (3) "Woman, behold thy Son"--"Behold thy Mother," in which He
gave up what was dearest to Him on earth, and gave us Mary for our
Mother. (4) "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" from which we
learn the suffering of His mind. (5) "I thirst," from which we learn the
suffering of His body. (6) "All is consummated," by which H