We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many and their guilt he shall bear. Therefore, I will give him his portion among the great…because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; and he shall take away the sins of many and win pardon for their offenses. (Is 53:11-12) Reflection: The broken body of Jesus is reverently lowered from the cross. Who could have imagined that the wood of the crib would lead to the wood of the cross? Yet this holy cross is hope for the world. It endures as a permanent symbol of love, an eternal plus sign for those who seek the ways of God. When the cross of suffering enters our lives, may we unite our suffering to that of Jesus for the sake of the world. For God’s power is at work amid the tragedies and heartaches of human existence. Prayer: Lord Jesus, the world flees from pain, sickness and sorrow because it does not believe in the redemptive role of suffering. Though we do not understand it fully, we accept this mystery of saving grace through your passion. Your word and deeds inspire us to take up our crosses daily and to follow you. We ask for courage to be faithful to our calling through the joys and sorrows of life. May we bring hope and consolation to those who carry heavy burdens today.
0 Comments
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: It was about midday and darkness came over the whole land until midafternoon with an eclipse of the sun. The curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two. Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” After this, he expired. (LK 23:44-46) Reflection: Jesus is wrapped in pain and exhausted from the ordeal of the crucifixion. Death would be a relief for him. He came to do the will of his father even to the point of shedding his blood. Jesus taught us, “Greater love than this no one has than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 He considers us his friends even though it is our sins which have caused his death. Now his act of sacrificial love was completed. Jesus surrendered his life to his heavenly Father. The end has finally come. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you seemed crushed and defeated on the cross but really it was your greatest hour of triumph. Thank you for saving us from eternal death and for offering us eternal life. We claim you as the Savior and Lord of our lives. We wish to commend our life’s journey into your hands. Teach us how to die to our selfishness and to live for others as you did. We unite our sufferings to yours on the cross for the sake of the Church. May the passion and death of Jesus be always in our hearts! We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: When they brought Jesus to the site of Golgotha, which means ‘Skull Place’, they tried to give him wine drugged with myrrh, but he would not take it. Then they crucified him and divided up his garments by rolling dice for them to see what each should take. (Mk 15: 22-24) Reflection: Upon arriving at Golgotha, the soldiers make fast work of nailing Jesus to the cross. Each thump of the hammer brings excruciating pain to the body of Jesus. Crucifixion was a horrible form of torture and death. Such inhumane torment to the Lord of life! The final ounces of strength flow out from Jesus. What more can he give? The words of the psalmist ring true: “They have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.” (Ps 21:17-18) Prayer: Jesus, it is sinful humanity and we that deserve to be crucified for our sins. But your infinite love impels you to lay down your life for all of us. You have taken our place on the cross, so that we may gain everlasting life. We can never offer you enough thanks. Forgive us, Lord, for our blindness and hardness of heart. Heal us of the evil that lurks within us and turns us away from your grace. Show us how to bring the good news of your saving grace to the people around us. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Let not those who wait for you be put to shame through me, O Lord, God of hosts. Let not those who seek you blush for me, O God of Israel, since for your sake I bear insult and shame covers my face. I have become an outcast to my brothers and sisters. (Ps 69: 7-9) Reflection: A final humiliation awaits Jesus as his bloodstained garments are stripped from his body. Jesus humbly submits to this assault upon his dignity. Everyday men, women and children are stripped of their freedom, dignity and human rights and we can feel so powerless. But each of us can help restore a sense of worth to the people we meet. We can clothe the physical, emotional and spiritual nakedness of people who suffer from humiliation and lack of respect. Prayer: Jesus, in your passion you felt tremendous scorn and disdain. You chose not to strike back, but to endure insults for the sake of love. It is the sinfulness of the human family that caused you such degradation. We are the ones who should be stripped of our pride and rebellion, our greed and selfishness. Clothe us with the garment of holiness that we might withstand the pride of life and respond with humility in the face of contempt. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins. Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole and by his stripes we were healed. Is. 53.5 Reflection: Totally exhausted, physically and emotionally, Jesus cannot take another step. He collapses to the earth, crushed by the weight of the cross. But even more crushing are the sins of the human race. The loving sacrifice of Jesus overcomes the power of sin and death that has gripped the world since Adam and Eve. The sins of disobedience and rebellion are cancelled by the surrender of Jesus to God’s plan of salvation. God brings victory out of apparent defeat. Prayer: Jesus, you took upon yourself the sinfulness, atrocities and crimes of the whole human family since the beginning of time. Though humankind was created good, sin has brought devastation and ruin upon the earth. Yet we believe that by your stripes, your suffering and death, we are healed. Give us a compassionate heart toward those people who reject your love, who inflict tremendous pain upon themselves and others. May we always remember that there but for the grace of God goes each of us. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: A great crowd of people followed Jesus, including women who beat their breasts and lamented over him. Jesus turned to them and said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me. Weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Lk 23:27-29.) Reflection: It was a Jewish custom for women to lament the death of a loved one. Jesus had some faithful mourners in his last hours. But their tears evoke compassion and sympathy from our Lord. He is much more concerned with their salvation and the salvation of his people. He warns them of catastrophes to come if people do not repent. Jesus is a teacher and a comforter right to the end. As long as there is life in his body, he will do the saving work of his Father. Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes our sufferings lead us to indulge in self-pity. We want others to weep and morn for us. That thought never crossed your mind. You were too busy giving yourself. You lovingly reached out to the women and challenged them to weep for themselves and for their children. Teach us how to console those who carry larger crosses than we do. And help us not to complain. As we minister to the less fortunate around us, we trust that you will provide for our needs. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Insult has broken my heart and I am weak. I looked for sympathy, but there was none; for comforters and I found none. (Ps 69:21) Reflection: Once again Jesus crumbles under the weight of the cross. Even with Simon helping him, Jesus is too weak to carry such a heavy load. His mind and body cry out for relief, but his torturers offer none. This station reminds us of the occasions when we fall through our sinfulness, when we stubbornly resist God’s grace in order to do our will. Growing in holiness means we should be building on our virtues and minimizing our vices. True holiness means we stumble less often and less seriously because God is more the center of our lives. Prayer: Jesus, you struggled to stay on your feet but to no avail. You said yes to the will of your father knowing that your final hours would involve deep agony and crucifixion. When the sins and crosses of our lives cause us to stumble and fall, and it seems that we cannot go on, fill us with hope to face the uncertain future. Lead us to the people who can encourage us by their words and deeds. We desire to be obedient to the call of God in all circumstances of life. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: There was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him. He was spurned and avoided by people, a person of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom people hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. (Is. 53: 2-3) Reflection: Catholic tradition records the efforts of a brave woman, Veronica, who steps out of the crowd to bring comfort to Jesus. Wiping the face of Jesus does not ease his physical pain. But this loving gesture helps heal the wounds of ridicule, rejection and condemnation heaped upon the Son of God. It reminds Jesus that there are many people who love him and believe in his message, though presently their voices are silenced. Prayer: Jesus, your face was battered, bruised and spat upon by the Roman soldiers. It took a lot of courage and compassion for Veronica to wipe your brow. Each of us wonders if we could have done the same. Yet every day there are friends and strangers who would welcome a sympathetic smile, a kind word, an embrace, or a helping hand. These acts of kindness do not take a lot of courage. Show us how to take time for hurting people, realizing that as often as we do it for one of these least sisters and brothers, we do it for you. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: As they led Jesus away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene who was coming in from the fields. They put a crossbeam on Simon’s shoulder for him to carry along behind Jesus. (Lk 23:26) Reflection: The soldiers see that Jesus is too weak to go on, so Simon is picked out to help him. Who would want to assist a condemned criminal? Is it a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Jesus, the Son of God, welcomes relief from a stranger. Jesus cannot do it alone and his disciples have fled. Simon has no choice in the matter. Yet what a unique opportunity to serve his Lord, perhaps he received the gift of faith while helping what he thought was a common criminal. Prayer: Jesus, we are grateful for the Simons who have helped us through the struggles of life. Some were even strangers. We wish to appreciate the people around us who really care. You call us to reach out with concern to all our sisters and brothers. It is easy to become self-centered, to look the other way when people need us. There are always good reasons not to get involved. Increase our faith to see you in those whom we serve. Show us how to bring your healing love to the crucified of today. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Scripture: Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before his shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth. (Is. 53:7) Reflection: Jesus and Mary enjoyed an extraordinary relationship throughout their lives. Her heart was broken as she witnessed the impending doom of her only Son. Jesus and Mary were powerless to bring comfort to one another during this momentary meeting. There were no adequate words to express their undying love, respect and admiration. The beloved disciple, John, accepts the honor of taking care of Mary. She in turn is given as a gift to all humanity, to be mother of the Church. God has a way of bringing good out of the most horrible circumstances of life. Prayer: Jesus, you greet your grieving mother for a fleeting moment amid a throng of people clamoring for your death. It must have been a great sorrow to leave your mother behind in such torment. We thank you for the gift of your mother, for she is an inspiration to all generations of Christians. Though her heart was pierced with sorrow, she stayed with you to the end. We invite Mary to console us in our daily struggles and failures. Strengthen us, Jesus, to stand at the foot of the crosses of those whom we love. |
Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P. "Preacher on the Run"Just a few thoughts to help you on your journey through life...let me know from time to time what you think... Archives
April 2024
Categories |