Verse: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. Response: Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Scripture: It was our weaknesses that he carried, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one struck by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the punishment that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all. Isaiah 53: 4 - 6
Reflection: This is the second time you have fallen on the road. As the cross grows heavier and heavier, it becomes more difficult to get up. But you continue to struggle and try until you’re up and walking again. You don’t give up. Sometimes, Lord, I want to give up. I know what you want me to do to love others but it is just too hard. I don’t want to surrender my anger, my resentment or my grudges. I don’t want to forgive others or myself. Sometimes it’s just easier to stay stuck. But you, Lord, didn’t give up. When things were most hard, you got up and kept going. Help me when things get difficult; help me get up and keep trying. Help me to do my best to forgive and love others as you would do. You carry all our sins because you came to forgive, to make peace in the world, but first in the heart. Your work is a work of mercy, a work of forgiveness and of love.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you shared in our weaknesses and accepted our guilt. Teach my heart humility and forgiveness. When I am feeling stuck, trapped, exhausted and hopeless, give me the courage and strength to rise, knowing you rise with me. Grant me the favor of rejoicing over my human weaknesses, so that in all I do, your strength, dwelling in me, may be shown to all others.
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.