Verse: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. Response: Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Scripture: It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the curtain of the temple was torn in the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “It is finished. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Then, bowing his head, he died. Luke 23: 44 – 46; John 19:30b
Reflection: As you hung on the cross, Jesus, you forgave the soldiers who had crucified you, and prayed for your mother and friends. You appear on the cross as a defeated man; you suffer, are betrayed, reviled and finally die. On the cross, you feel the whole weight of evil, and with the force of God’s love you conquer it and finally defeat it with your resurrection. Indeed, you allow evil to be unleashed on you and takes it upon yourself in order to conquer it. At the foot of the cross, Mary, together with the disciple of love, witnessed the words of forgiveness you spoke. This supreme expression of mercy towards those who crucified you show us the point to which the mercy of God can reach. His mercy knows no bounds and extends to everyone, without exception.
Prayer: Jesus, let me take a few moments to consider your love for me. Help me thank you for your willingness to go to your death for me. Help me receive this unfathomable mercy for those times I have sinned. Help me to live in faithful service to 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.