Verse: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. Response: Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Scripture: They gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall; but when he had tasted it, he would not drink. Then after they had crucified him, they divided his clothes, casting lots, to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet, “They divided my clothes among them, and upon my garments they cast lots.” Matthew 27: 34 - 35
Reflection: The soldiers noticed you have something of value. They remove your cloak and throw dice for it. Your wounds are torn open once again. Some of the people in the crowd make fun of you. They tease you and challenge you to perform a miracle for them to see. At the moment of your ultimate self-sacrifice on the cross, you sought to keep nothing for yourself. In your body – stripped bare, pierced and lacerated – we see the bodies of our brothers and sisters left by the wayside, disfigured by our negligence and indifference. Jesus calls us to leave behind our fleeting illusions and to turn what is essential, to renounce our insatiable cravings, to abandon our endless yearnings for things we will never have, in order to discover our true peace, joy and the luminous meaning of life.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, stripped of everything, You stood exposed to the jeers and contempt of the people whom You loved. Clothe me with genuine love of others, so that nothing I suffer may ever fill our hearts with hatred or bitterness. Strip me of love for the things of this world so that I may discover my true peace – You.
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.