-We adore You, Oh Christ, and we praise You.
-Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
BECAUSE HE CLINGS TO ME I WILL DELIVER HIM; BECAUSE HE KNOWS MY NAME I WILL SET HIM ON HIGH. HE WILL CALL UPON ME AND I WILL ANSWER. I WILL BE WITH HIM IN DISTRESS; I WILL DELIVER HIM AND GIVE HIM HONOR. WITH LENGTH OF DAYS I WILL SATISFY HIM, AND FILL HIM WITH MY SAVING POWER. (Psalm 91: 14-16)
The long-awaited hour had finally arrived. It was the hour of Redemption, for that he had descended from Heaven, to save men from the yoke of the stain of origin and lead all humanity towards the full realization of love in eternal life. Jesus knew perfectly well what it meant to be the Savior and he did not back down when he was arrested in the Garden of Olives. Instead, he stepped forward and let his hands feel the oppression of the ropes with which they bound him as if he were a criminal. Thus, bound and mocked, he was taken to the Sanhedrin. The trial was absurd and a mockery of his dignity. Finally, Caiaphas, the High Priest, challenged him: "I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” (Matthew 26:63b). Our Redeemer faced his death sentence assuring: "You have said so.” (Matthew 26:64a). The sentence said: condemned to death for blasphemy.
Oh, Jesus, what strength could have saved you in that hour! Our salvation depended only on you and you do not back down, but firmly declare to be the Son of God, knowing that you were condemned that way. What enormous love could move you towards death! Help us, Lord, to understand you more, to understand that only love saves us, that we are called to respond with our lives to your invitation to love as you love us, so that we can bear much fruit.
Holy Father, contemplating your Son condemned to death, give us the strength of perseverance in faith, hope and charity, so that we may be witnesses before all our brothers of this great love that led your Son to die for all of us. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
