Jesus is nailed to the Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Now one of the criminals, hanging there reviled Jesus saying,” Are you the Messiah?  Save yourself and save us!”  The other one crucified by Jesus rebuked him saying, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?  We have been condemned justly, for our sentence corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.”  Then he said to Jesus: “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  And Jesus replied, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Lk. 23: 39-43)

My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?  Far from my prayer, far from the words of my cry?  O my God, I cry out by day, and You answer not; I cry out by night, and there is no relief for me.  All my bones are racked.  My heart has become like wax melting away within my chest.  My throat is dried up like baked clay, my tongue cleaves to my jaws; they have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.  (Ps. 21: 2-3, 15-16, 17b)

Let us pray.  Lord and Savior, You told us that we too must accept crucifixion and death if we are to accept resurrection with You.  Help us to experience the sufferings of life as ways you refine and reclaim us, seeing in them the royal road of the cross to the resurrection.  In the darkest of times, give us perseverance to never stop seeking and listening to you.

Amen.

Processional Song:

At the cross her station keeping, Mary stood in sorrow weeping, when her Son was crucified

Stations of the Cross Images courtesy of carmelites.net