There is a popular and old devotion called Stations of the Cross, where the faithful recall and meditate on the events of the Way of the Cross, beginning with the moment Jesus was condemned to death to when He was placed in the sepulcher. And in the Second Station we consider the moment when Jesus accepts His Cross. In The Passion of the Christ, Mel Gibson puts a fitting reflection on this scene. If you recall, it depicts Our Lord embracing His Cross with great anticipation and love — not anger and bitterness, but love — to the great incredulity of the two thieves.
In this sense, we realize that ever since the beginning of time Jesus greatly longed for this singular moment when He would redeem humanity. And it had finally arrived. Therefore, the wood of the Cross is not taken as simply an instrument of death, but rather as the weapon of God’s final victory over evil.
A Reflection by St. Alphonsus Liguori
V: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (Genuflect)
R: Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world. (Rise)
V: Consider Jesus as He walked this road with the cross on His shoulders, thinking of us, and offering to His Father in our behalf, the death He was about to suffer. (Kneel)
R: My most beloved Jesus,
I embrace all the sufferings You have destined for me until death.
I beg You, by all You suffered in carrying Your cross,
to help me carry mine with Your perfect peace and resignation.
I love You, Jesus, my love;
I repent of ever having offended You.
Never let me separate myself from You again.
Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me as You will.
Adoramus te, Christe
Tune: Theodore Dubois (1837 – 1924)
Text: Good Friday Liturgy (6th century)Adoramus te, Christe,
et benedicimus tibi,
quia per sanctam crucem tuam
redemisti mundum.We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we bless Thee,
who by Thy Holy Cross
hast redeemed the world.