We are soon going to share in the Passover

Let us prepare our hearts to accompany Jesus this Holy Week with the assistance of St. Gregory’s reflection below:

“If you are a Simon of Cyrene, take up your cross and follow Christ. If you are crucified beside him like one of the thieves, now, like the good thief, acknowledge your God. For your sake, and because of your sin, Christ himself was regarded as a sinner; for his sake, therefore, you must cease to sin. Worship him who was hung on the cross because of you, even if you are hanging there yourself. Derive some benefit from the very shame; purchase salvation with your death. Enter paradise with Jesus, and discover how far you have fallen. Contemplate the glories there, and leave the other scoffing thief to die outside in his blasphemy.

If you are a Joseph of Arimathea, go to the one who ordered his crucifixion, and ask for Christ’s body. Make your own the expiation for the sins of the whole world. If you are a Nicodemus, like the man who worshiped God by night, bring spices and prepare Christ’s body for burial. If you are one of the Marys, or Salome, or Joanna, weep in the early morning. Be the first to see the stone rolled back, and even the angels perhaps, and Jesus himself.”

From a homily by Saint Gregory Nazianzen, bishop

(Oratio 45, 23-24: PG 36, 654-655)

RESPONSORY from the Office of Readings this Morning.
Hebrews 13:12-13; 12:4

Jesus died outside the city gate
to sanctify the people by his own blood.
– Let us go to him outside the camp
and share the insult that was heaped on him.

You have not yet resisted sin to the point of shedding your blood.
– Let us go to him outside the camp
and share the insult that was heaped on him.

CONCLUDING PRAYER from the Office of Readings this Morning.

Let us pray.

God our Father,
you always work to save us,
and now we rejoice in the great love
you give to your chosen people.
Protect all who are about to become your children,
and continue to bless those who are already baptized.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and hte Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

_________________

Each worry, stress or sorrow,
each need you’re thinking of…
Nail it to the Cross
and entrust it to Christ’s love.

A trial or temptation,
a challenge hard to face…
Nail it to the Cross,
and give it to His grace.

For Christ redeemed all suffering,
all struggle, loss, and death…
He “nailed” the world’s salvation
as He took His final Breath.

~ Author unknown ~