3 April 2015 - good friday

Jesus, you endure so much out of love for us.

You bear our infirmities, our physical and mental weakness.

You endure the sufferings that are rightfully ours.

You are pierced and crushed for our sins and offenses.

You take on yourself our chastisement.

You are scourged. Your are mocked. You are given a crown of thorns. You are struck repeatedly. You are spurned and avoided by people who want no part in this suffering your bear. Your friends betray you and abandon you. You are nailed to the cross together with ordinary criminals. The guards divide your garments among themselves.

Yet you hold none of this against us. Seeing what you endure we afraid to ask you for anything more. You've done enough and now we must shrink back in fear. But this is not what you want. You bear the chastisement in order to make us whole. You take our stripes so that we may be healed. You come to guide all of the sheep who go astray to the Father's pastures.

You ask to receive all that you do and endure for us as a gift. You are brokenhearted if, after all this, we won't take advantage of the graces you unlock and unleash. You invite us to draw near by the mercy your cross makes available.

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace 
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

You are now the source of eternal salvation for all who obey you. And what do you command? "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Jesus, you trust the Father in spite of everything. In spite of all that you endure your trust in not shaken. Even with your last breaths you are able to say, "Into your hands I commend my spirit".  Now, as you become the source of eternal salvation for us, help us to trust you with this same trust. As we approach your throne of grace give us the rest that only trust this strong can supply.

Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
Take courage and be stouthearted,
all you who hope in the LORD.

Jesus, cover us with the living water of your Holy Spirit. Cover us with the precious blood that saves us from our sins. We pray, "Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!"

Mary, you are our mother. Only you truly appreciate how precious this gift is. Cover us with your mantle. Give us your eyes to love Jesus today. Give us your own hearts to love him and receive his gift to us.