Way of the Cross

7 First Station Jesus is condemned to death  We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (Genuflect)  Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, knowing pain, like one from whom you turn your face, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. Yet it was our pain that he bore, our sufferings he endured. (Isaiah 53:3-4) (Pause for silent prayer) T hen our good Lord put a question to me: “Are you well satisfied that I suffered for you?” I said: “Yes, good Lord, blessed may you be.” Then Jesus our good Lord said: “If you are satisfied, I am satisfied. It is a joy, a bliss, an endless delight to me that I suffered my Passion for you; and if I could suffer more, I would suffer more.” He would count it all as nothing for love, for everything seems only little to him in comparison with his love. For although the sweet humanity of Christ could suffer only once, his goodness can never cease offering it. Every day he is ready to do the same. — J ulian of N orwich  All-good Father, your Son with great desire wanted to suffer for us so that we might be brought back to you. Give us, we pray, his Spirit so that we might find the joy of Jesus’ love even in the depths of our sorrow. Amen.