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however we may exault her was still a Mother.

Is exault different from worship too?

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Friday, April 18, 2003
Good Friday

First Reading:
Responsorial Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:

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

Ecce lignum Crucis in quo salus mundi pepéndit.

(Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the Saviour of the world.)

-- The Adoration of the Cross

The following is, as usual, from The Word Among Us:

Good Friday

Today we commemorate the greatest act of love in history: the cross of Jesus Christ. Take some extra time today to meditate before a crucifix. Look upon Jesus in all his lowliness--beaten, bruised, and bloodied. See him suffering, rejected and alone. Hear his last cry: "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" See his love for you, even as he hangs dying in your place: "Father forgive them, they know not what they do." Gaze upon him who was pierced for our offenses and crushed for our sins. Bow in reverence as you contemplate the full meaning of this holy day, when the Son of God became incredibly poor so that we could become unspeakably rich. Bless the One who now beckons you to "draw near to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

What great love the cross reveals! This is covenant love, a love that springs from Jesus' eternal promise to love and protect us. Covenant love is ever faithful. It is ready to die so that others may live. It's an eternal love, written in the very blood of Christ. Today, as you meditate before the Lamb who was slain, consider the "bigness" of the cross. Has any other act of love ever brought forth such a flood of mercy and grace? Has any other sacrifice completely washed away every sin ever committed and every sin to come? Has any other act of love overcome the devil's work of hatred and evil in the world?

How can you make the cross real in your life today? By showing your loved ones the same covenant love that Jesus has shown you. What joy Jesus will have as he sees the fruit of his cross in the way you spread his love and faithfulness today! Just think: Every time you love as Jesus loves, you are bringing the very presence of Christ into the world!

"Jesus, on this Good Friday I join with the saints in heaven not to mourn what my sin did to you, but to rejoice in what your love did for me. May this litany be in my heart today: Cross of Jesus, purify me. Blood of Jesus, cleanse me. Wounds of Jesus, heal me. Love of Jesus, free me. Mercy of Jesus, forgive me."

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God bless you all. Have a blessed Easter weekend and keep in mind the sacrifice He made for us ... may it bring joy to your hearts.

AC

Hey, Steven ... luck may end up being on the Mavs' side after all. I took a look at the playoff brackets. If all goes in their favor, they may not even have to face the Lakers or Kings ... the two teams they just can't seem to beat.