Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/379



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

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

HIS station  represents  the  place  where  Jesus Christ was  publicly  exalted  on  the  cross,  between two thieves,  who  were  executed  with  the  innocent Lamb. Consider here  the  confusion  of  your  Saviour, exposed to  the  profane  view  of  a blasphemous  multitude. Imagine yourself  at  the  foot  of  the  cross. Behold that  sacred  body,  streaming  blood  from  every part. Contemplate the  divine  countenance,  pale  and languid, the  heart  throbbing  in  the  last  pangs  of  agony; the soul  on  the  point  of  separation. Charity triumphs over his  agony; his  last  prayer  asks  forgiveness  for his inveterate  enemies. “ Father, forgive  them; they know not  what  they  do.”  His  clemency  is  equally extended to  the  penitent  thief: “ This  day  thou  shalt be with  me  in  Paradise.”  He  recommends  in  his last moments  his  disconsolate  mother  to  his  beloved St. John; he  recommends  his  soul  to  his  heavenly Father; and bowing  down  his  head,  resigns  his  spirit. Turn your  eyes  on  this  bloody  portrait  of  charity. Number his  wounds,  wash  them  with  tears  of  sympathizing love. Behold the  arms  extended  to  embrace you. Loving Jesus! thou didst  die  to  deliver  us from  eternal  captivity.

SUFFERING Son  of  God! I now behold  thee  in the  last  convulsive  pangs  of  death; thy  veins