We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor. They all condemned him and said, “He ought to die.” When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the Judge’s bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Then he handed Jesus over to be crucified. [Matthew 27:1- 2; John 19:7, 13, 16]
God did not withhold his own Son:
But gave him up for all of us. [Romans 8:32]
Grant, we pray you, almighty God, that we who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the comfort of your grace may mercifully be set free; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Who on Christ’s dear mother gazing
Pierced by anguish so amazing,
Born of woman, would not weep?