Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/364



V. We  adore  thee,  O Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  bless thy holy  name:

R. Because,  by  thy  holy  cross,  thou  hast  redeemed the world.

UR gracious  Redeemer,  after  suffering  most  injurious treatment  before  Annas  and  Caiphas, a cruel scourging,  and  a crown  of  piercing  thorns,  is condemned  to  death. This iniquitous  sentence  your Jesus accepts  with  admirable  humility. Innocence submits to  punishment  in  order  to  free  the  guilty. Reflect that  your  sins  caused  his  condemnation,  and your stubborn  impenitence  extorted  the  bloody  sentence from  Pilate. Purpose now  seriously  to  amend your life; and  while  you  reflect  on  the  horrid  injustice of  Pilate,  who  condemns  innocence  lest  he  should not appear  a friend  of  Caesar,  with  deep  conviction of your  own  guilt,  condemn  yourself  for  your  many sins of  human  respect; think  how  often  you  have offended God  from  the  fear  of  displeasing  the  world; and, turning  to  your  Saviour,  address  him  rather  with tears of  the  heart  than  expressions  of  the  tongue,  in the  following  prayer:

MANGLED victim  of  my  sins,  suffering  Jesus,  I have  deserved  those  bloody  stripes,  that  cruel sentence of  death; and  yet  thou  art  put  to  death  for me, that  I should  live  for  thee ! I am convinced that if  I desire  to  please  the  world,  I cannot  be  thy servant; let me  then  displease  the  world  and  its vain admirers. I resign myself  into  thy  hands. Let