Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/370

 compassion for  Jesus,  but  lest  he  should  expire  before they could  satiate  their  vengeance,  by  nailing  him  to the  cross. Consider here  the  repugnance  of  Simon to carry  the  cross  after  Christ; and  remember  that you also  reluctantly  submit  to  the  cross  which  Providence has  placed  on  your  shoulders. Will you continue to  spurn  the  advice  of  your  Jesus,  who invites you  to  take  up  your  cross  and  follow  him  ? Will you  yet,  with  shameless  ingratitude,  refuse  the cross sanctified  by  his  sufferings  ? Offer up  devoutly the following

SUFFERING Jesus ! to what  an  excess  did  thy impious executioners  carry  their  cruelty. Seeing thee faint  under  the  cross,  and  apprehending  thy  death before they  could  accomplish  their  bloody  designs, they compelled  Simon  to  aid  in  bearing  thy  cross, that on  it  thou  mightest  expire  in  tortures. But why should  I complain  of  the  cruelty  of  the  Jews, or the  repugnance  of  Simon? Have I not  again crucified him  by  my  crimes? Have I not  suffered with fretful  impatience  the  light  affliction  with  which thy mercy  visited  me? Teach me,  now,  my  Jesus, to detest*  and  deplore  my  past  impatience,  and  let me, with  a willing  heart,  accompany  thee  to  Mount Calvary; let me  live  in  thee  and  die  in  thee. Amen.

Our Father,  etc. Hail Mary,  etc.  Glory  be  to the  Father,  etc.

V. Jesus  Christ  crucified,  have  mercy  on  us.

R. Have  mercy  on  us; O Lord,  have  mercy  on  us.

V. And  may  the  souls  of  the  faithful  departed, through the  mercy  of  God,  rest  in  peace.

R. Amen.

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