April Adoration: The Glorious Cross

God allowed the death of Jesus on the Cross to show his love for humanity. God did not perform a miracle to save His Son from death but instead brought about the greatest possible blessing, the glorification of Christ and our redemption. On the cross, life was not ended but spread its influence like a perfume filling the world.

O God, come to my aid.

Lord, make haste to help me

Glory be to the Father...

As it was in the beginning...

Prayer:

We praise you, Lord, for your suffering on the cross.

We praise you, Lord, for your death.

We praise you, Lord, for your gift of liberation.

We praise you, Lord, for your immense and selfless love.

We praise you, Lord, for giving your life for us.

We praise you, Lord, for by your cross you have redeemed the world.

Silence for adoration.

Praise to the Holy Cross

"O cross of the Risen Lord, source of salvation.

From you we draw nourishment, joy, growth, and understanding.

Your presence brings gladness and fruitfulness; your shade offers refuge.

In our hunger, you are sustenance; in our thirst, a spring; in our nakedness, a garment.

You are our path, our way; Jacob's ladder, the bed of love where the Lord unites us.

You are our defense in fear, our support in stumbling,

our crown in victory, our prize in battle.

You are the tree of eternal life, the foundation of the universe, the structure of the earth, which touches heaven and reveals God's love".

Silence for meditation.

Pause, observe, contemplate, be grateful.

Reading.

"Your head is bowed to listen and offer peace. You invite the guilty even while You are offended. Your arms are outstretched to embrace; your hands pierced to bless; your side opened to welcome; your feet nailed to remain with us...".

St. John of Avila

Silence for reflection.

Christ's death on the cross is reflected in many men and women who suffer because of our lack of love and injustice toward them. Are you aware of them?

Petitions.

-          That the Lord, who accepted death on the cross, may teach us to do the Father's will...

-          That we, freed from sin, may rise with Christ to a new life...

-          For those who die due to the selfishness of others, to violence, and to injustice...

-          For those burdened with sickness, hunger, or displacement...

Add your intentions…

Our Father.

Prayer.

O God, who renewed the world through the passion and death of your Son, grant us understanding and living this mystery, glorifying the cross of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord, who lives gloriously with you forever and ever. Amen.