“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you:
R. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Meditation: Love

For the three hours Christ hung upon the cross, he was a model of love, duty and prayer. In the midst of almost unbearable sufferings, he pardoned his murderers, promised heaven to the good thief and committed his mother and St John to each other’s care. When the time came to die, he bowed his head and committed his spirit to God.

All of this took place while he was struggling to breathe, constantly losing blood and onlookers were shouting abuse at him. Despite the great pain that this caused, Christ had only love in his heart for us. As St Paul tells us, “God proved his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

The love that Christ showed for us on the cross should inspire us to love him back – and to show that same love to others too. As he said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind – and your neighbour as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

Prayer
O Jesus, I kneel now at the foot of your cross, which you endured for love of me. Help me to forgive those who cause me pain, as you did, repent of my sins with the good thief and receive your mother as my own. O Lamb of God, teach me to love you with all my heart.

Sign from the Old Testament
Innocent Abel was murdered by his brother Cain, who shed his blood out of anger and jealousy (Genesis 4:1-16).

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