Our Lord falls for the third time, on the slope leading up to Calvary, with only forty or fifty paces between him and the summit. Jesus can no longer stay on his feet: his strength has failed him, and he lies on the ground in utter exhaustion.
He offered himself up because it was his will; abused and ill-treated, he opened not his mouth, as a sheep led to the slaughter, dumb as a lamb before its shearers (Is 53:7).
The executioners take his garments and divide them into four parts. But the cloak is without seam, so they say:
It would be better not to tear it, but let us cast lots for it to see whose it shall be (Jn 19:24).
Thus, Scripture is again fulfilled: They divided my garments among them, and upon my vesture they cast lots (Ps 21:19)
Despoiled, stripped, left in the most absolute poverty, our Lord is left with nothing, save the wood of the cross.
For us to reach God, Christ is the way; but Christ is on the cross, and to climb up to the cross we must have our heart free, not tied to earthly things.