Verse: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. Response: Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Scripture: I lie prostrate in the dust; give me life according to your word. I declare my ways, and you answered me; teach me your commands. Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds. My soul weeps for sorrow; strengthen me with your words. Psalm 118: 25 - 28
Reflection: Jesus, your journey has been long. You fall again, beneath your cross. You know your journey is coming to an end. You struggle and struggle. You get up and keep going. Jesus, with his cross, walks with us and takes upon himself our fears, our problems and our sufferings, even those which are deepest and most painful. With the cross, Jesus unites himself to all those who suffer, especially the innocent and the defenseless. With him, evil, suffering and death do not have the last word, because he gives us hope and life. He has transformed the cross from being an instrument of defeat to being a sign of love, triumph and life.
Prayer: Redeemer Lord, the pain of humiliation after a fall is as great as the physical suffering. For the Lord of Lords, the disgrace would seem unbearable. Yet, it was you who embodied the saving paradox that strength is found in weakness and glory gleaned from humbling ourselves. Help us to accept our weaknesses and failings as forerunners of our union with your Son.
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.