The Passion of Jesus

From noon onward, darkness descended over the whole land until three o'clock in the afternoon.

Then about three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Some of those standing by heard it and said, "This man is calling Elijah."

At once, one of them ran to fetch a sponge. He soaked it in wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Jesus to drink.

But the rest said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah is coming to save him."

Then Jesus again cried out in a loud voice and gave up his spirit.
Matthew 27:45- 50

Lord, Listen to Me

Jesus, the listener,
Listen to our hope in you.
Listen to our love for you.

Listen to our pains.
Listen to our anxieties.
Listen to our confusion.
Listen to our unrest.

Listen to our yearning for communication.
Listen to our yearning for understanding.
Listen to our yearning for peace.

Listen to the cries of the poor.
Listen to the laments of the oppressed.
Listen to the prayers of the sick.
Listen to the fears of the dying.
Listen to the needs of the young and the old.
Amen.

O Lord,
what would I see if I were there
when you were crucified?
Someone dying without relief
in the half gloom of that hill.

What would I hear if I were there?
Someone crying in a loud voice
as if he were abandoned.

Only faith
sees and hears something more.

I believe the Unseen God was there,
who brings light from darkness,
and life from death.

O Lord,
by your holy passion,
strengthen me
as I share this mystery
with you.
Amen.

O Jesus, Son of God,
you were born in a stable
and died on the Cross
for our salvation.

Say to your heavenly Father
at the hour of my death:
"Father, forgive him;
"Father, forgive her."

Say to your loving Mother:
"Behold your daughter;
"behold your son."

Say to my soul:
"This day you will be with me in Paradise."

"My God, my God, do not abandon me"
in that hour.
"I thirst," my God,
yes, my soul thirsts for you,
the fountain of living waters.

My life passes like a shadow.
Yet a little while and "it is finished."
So, my Savior,
from this moment and for all eternity,
"Into your hands, I commend my spirit."
Lord Jesus, receive my soul.
Amen