Jesus Falls the Second Time
Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord lay upon him the guilt of us all. —Isaiah 53:4–6
O Jesus, fallen under the Cross. The soldiers fear that You may die under the weight and from the shedding of so much Blood. They continue to lash and kick you. The Cross with its heavy weight is crushing You, but still You love. Sometimes I crush You, Jesus and you still forgive my sins. Jesus, let me help You lift Your cross by serving and loving the poor. Let me carry this weight by serving You in them. I adore You O Christ, let me bear Your heavy cross, let me protect You from those continuous beatings. Let me no longer make more wounds. I love You Jesus. Forgive me.
Prayer: Father, we Your people continue our search for a future and abiding city. The road is long and rugged, not always easy to follow. When we fall, we must rise again like our Savior on the way to Calvary. Lord, how your Mother agonized when she saw you ripped and bleeding. How strong You were. How strong Mary was, never stopping in spite of the pain she felt for You. How many times have I turned from You Lord in my work with the poor, in my judgment of them, and how many times have I caused others to turn away. Help me to pick myself up when I fall and send Your Holy Spirit to support me. In the Holy name of Jesus. Amen
Our Father who art in Heaven . . . . Amen