Used with permission of  Creighton University Online Ministries

Invitatory:

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

Prayer:

Remember your mercies, O Lord, and with your eternal protection sanctify your servants, for whom Christ your Son, by the shedding of his Blood, established the Paschal Mystery. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Or,

O God, who by the Passion of Christ your Son, our Lord, abolished the death inherited from ancient sin by every succeeding generation, grant that just as, being conformed to him, we have borne by the law of nature the image of the man on earth, so by the sanctification of grace we may bear the image of the Man of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.

The Readings

Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9;  John 18:1-19:42

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Daily Meditation:

This is the wood of the cross, on which hung the Savior of the world. Come, let us worship. This is a very special day of intimacy with our Lord. It is a day to pray the Stations of the Cross. A day of fasting and abstinence, in order to sharpen our awareness and openness. A day to stand at the foot of the cross as a forgiven sinner – to stand there side-by-side with everyone else who is forgiven. It is a day of profound gratitude.

My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me. –  Good Friday Reproaches

Intercessions:

For our sake our Redeemer suffered death and was buried, and rose again. With heartfelt love let us adore him, and pray: Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ our teacher, for our sake you were obedient even to accepting death, – teach us to obey the Father’s will in all things.

Christ our life, by your death on the cross you destroyed the power of evil and death, – may we die with you, to rise with you in glory.

Christ our King, you became an outcast among us, a worm and no man, – teach us the humility by which you saved the world.

Christ our salvation, you gave yourself up to death out of love for us, – help us to show your love to one another.

Christ our Savior, on the cross you embraced all time with your outstretched arms, – unite God’s scattered children in your kingdom of salvation.

Closing Prayer:

My Lord, your son has suffered so much, shed so much blood. I was born with so many faults and my nature is so full of weakness, and yet your son Jesus has died on the cross. For me. I know your grace has the power to cleanse me of my many sins and to make me more like your Son. Thank you for your goodness and love for me. I ask you, Father, to watch over me – always.

Conclusion:

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.