Verse: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. Response: Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Scripture: If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love what is its own. Because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I have spoken to you: No servant is greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. John 15: 18 - 20
Reflection: Jesus, the cross you have been carrying is very heavy. You are becoming weak and almost ready to faint, and you fall down. Nobody seems to want to help you. The soldiers are interested in getting home, so they yell at you and try to get you up and moving again. Here you are, patiently enduring the insulting blows and curses of your executioners. Here I am, impatient in adversity and weakness, likely to whine and complain, ashamed of my own sinfulness. Ignite in my heart a disdain for the ugliness of sin and help me embrace your cross; because you have understood that it is in giving ourselves, in emerging from ourselves that we have true joy and that, with his love, God conquered evil.
Prayer: O God, to free us from sin and weakness, you Son, Jesus Christ, embraced his fearful passion and crucifixion. Strengthen in us our baptismal resolutions by which we renounced sin and Satan, so that through the passion of this life’s sufferings we might rise to a new life of joyful service free of all selfishness.
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.
Jesus Christ crucified, have mercy on us. My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy.