Wednesday of the Fifth week of Lent
Commentary of the day
Saint Andrew of Crete (660-740), monk and Bishop
Great Canon of the Orthodox liturgy for Lent, 4th Ode
"You are trying to kill me"
Awake, my soul, give an account of your works,
Let them pass before your eyes
and let your eyes shed tears.
Uncover before Christ your deeds, your thoughts,
and be made righteous.
Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy.
You offered your body and your blood for us all
on the cross, O Word of God:
your body to refashion my own,
your blood to wash me.
O Christ, you yielded up your spirit
to bring me back to your Father (Lk 23,46).
It was at the very heart of this earth that its Creator came to save us.
He willed to be nailed to the tree of sorrows
And, immediately, the Paradise that had been lost was found (Lk 23,43).
Therefore you are worshipped by heaven and earth,
by all creation and the crowd of all the redeemed
from every nation.
May the blood and water that sprung
from your pierced side (Jn 19,34)
become baptismal water for me,
redemption's draught.
Anointed thus, as by perfume, with your words of life
and taking them like drink,
I shall be purified twice over, O Word of my God.
The Church is the cup that receives
the fountain of your life-giving side,
twofold and unique wave of knowledge and of forgiveness,
image of the the Testaments, Old and New,
brought together in one.
Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me.
| Wednesday, April 09, 2014 Lenten Weekday |
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