Verse: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. Response: Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Scripture: The chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed…Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barrabas…[and] handed [Jesus] over to be crucified. Mark 15: 1 – 5, 15
Reflection: Jesus, you did not enter Jerusalem to receive the honors reserved for earthly kings and powerful rulers, but to be scourged, insulted and abused. You stand all alone before Pilate, abandoned and betrayed by your own disciples. Nobody speaks up for you, nobody helps defend you. Sometimes I feel alone, abandoned and afraid. Sometimes, I too feel like I am unfairly treated or blamed for things unjustly. In your obedience to the Father’s will, I recognize my own rebellion and disobedience. In contemplating this, I am sorry for my own betrayals and my infidelity to you. Help me to be grateful for what you did for me. Help me pray for those that I have hurt and who have hurt me.
Prayer: My Jesus, how often I have deserved to be punished for the times I have tried to please others and not you. I place myself in your hands. Let love take possession of my heart; let my eyes see as you see, not as the world sees; let my ears hear only Your Word; open my heart to love as you love.
Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. AMEN.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, AMEN.