V. Adoramus te Christe et benedicimus tibi (We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee)
R. Quia per Crucem tuam redemisti mundum (For by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.)
“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mt 27:46).
“It is finished” (Jn 19:30).
These are two of the words we hear from the mouth of Jesus before He expired, according to the testimony of the Gospels.
“My God, why hast thou forsaken me” -Jesus exclaims on our behalf, as He bears the full weight of our sins on the cross. Sin separates us from God, disfigures our being, uproots us and leads us into the abyss of nothingness: meaninglessness, hopelessness, dependence on sin and on the one who wants to induce us to sin….
What loneliness, what remoteness from God, what a terrible fate those who live in sin already suffer in this life! The emptiness within them, the lack of true joy, the insecurity, the many false illusions…
“My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” -the soul in this state might exclaim. Jesus assumes this condition and cries out on behalf of that soul.
At the foot of the cross, we see the Mother of Jesus, the beloved disciple and the faithful women. They bear to see Him die in this way because they have been touched by God’s love.
It is precisely in the most difficult phases of our journey of following Christ, when we share in His suffering, that we are least alone, for God is very close to us.
But we also heard that other word of the Lord before He expired: “It is finished”.
Jesus has redeemed the world. He has done it, He has endured everything to the end, thus opening once and for all the door of grace for all people. Whoever you are and wherever you come from, you can all come to the cross with all you have done! In it you will find comfort, healing and forgiveness, for all is accomplished and mankind has been redeemed.
This redemption is offered to all men in all times.
Prayer: “Lord, graciously grant us salvation and peace, that your Church, having overcome all obstacles and errors, may serve you in full freedom, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit and is God for ever and ever. Amen.”
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
