- We adore you, Oh Christ, ...
THIS IS WHY THE FATHER LOVES ME, BECAUSE I LAY DOWN MY LIFE IN ORDER TO TAKE IT UP AGAIN. NO ONE TAKES IT FROM ME, BUT I LAY IT DOWN ON MY OWN. I HAVE POWER TO LAY IT DOWN, AND POWER TO TAKE IT UP AGAIN. THIS COMMAND I HAVE RECEIVED FROM MY FATHER. (John 10: 17-18).
Jesus, you fall for the first time, you hit and hurt yourself, but the strength of your love empowers you to get up again and continue ascending this difficult climb. You go forward because you want to take us with you to Heaven so that we can enjoy the life of grace that gives us life. You go up so that we can also go up with you and thus you save us at the price of immense fatigue, insults, contempt. Nothing stops you...
Oh my Savior! While you are on your way, your thirst for souls consumes you. While your Heart weeps for those who are an immense weight to you, your Spirit encourages you and shows you the innumerable souls that you will save. This thought alone gives you strength. My Jesus, give me also this ardent thirst, give me this desire of yours that all humanity know you and achieve salvation. I want to be so yours that I can receive in my heart what moves you so much: an ardent love. Help me never to make a distinction between my brothers. May we all be one in you!
Beloved Father, instill in our soul the desire and the gift of being means for the salvation of all men without distinction. Give us the strength of perseverance to know how to get up and overcome adversities. Give hope to those who have lost it, peace of mind to those who do not have it. Confirm us in faith, so that we can serve you with our lives given to you, who live and reign. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
