You cried tears of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, you, the joy of the world.

Who among us came to console you? All, we fled the impending calamity. Sometimes, we even have added to his sorrow.

Forgive us, Lord.

You were betrayed by Judas’ kiss, you, the one faithful friend.

Who among us came to your rescue? All, we allowed the betrayal to invade the world. Sometimes we ourselves have betrayed. Forgive us, Lord.

You were chained like a criminal, you, the only truly free man.

Who among us came to deliver you? All, we allowed the innocent to be chained. Sometimes, we have imprisoned him by our forgetfulness.

Forgive us, Lord.

You were unjustly condemned by Caiaphas and Pilate, you, the only just one.

Who among us stood up to protest? All, we allowed the poor to be condemned. And sometimes we have condemned him ourselves.

Forgive us, Lord.

You were flogged, you were beaten, you the Innocent.

Who among us came to defend you? All, we allowed the Innocent to be tortured. And sometimes we were the ones who struck him.

Forgive us, Lord.

You were stripped of your clothing, you who clothe us with your glory.

Who among us came to your help? All, we allowed the weak to be despoiled. And sometimes, we were the ones who stripped him. Forgive us, Lord.

You were abandoned by your apostles, you were denied by Peter, you, the one faithful Master.

Who among us came to swear loyalty to you? All, we have abandoned the poor onein his distress. Sometimes we ourselves have denied your Gospel.

Forgive us, Lord.

You were crowned with thorns, you were ridiculed, you, the one true King.

Who among us stood up to protest? All, we allowed the simple-minded to be scorned. Sometimes, we were the ones who crowned him with our mockery.

Forgive us, Lord.

You were condemned to carry your cross, you, the Lamb who carried the sin of the world.

Who among us came to your help? All of us fled before the burden ofour brother. Sometimes, we were the ones whoincreased the weight of the cross he carried.

Forgive us, Lord.

You were crucified as a criminal between two thieves, you, God’s Holy One.

Who among us stood at the foot of the cross All, we abandoned the desperate in his distress. Sometimes, we even crucified him by our indifference.

Forgive us, Lord.

You died on the cross abandoned by all, you, Brother to all the poor.

Who among us came to your help during your agony? All, we have diverted our attention from thecrucified of this world. Sometimes, we have even let our brother die.

Forgive us, Lord.

You were buried in the tomb, you, Eternal Life.

Who among us cried for you, Joy of the world? All of us allowed the tears of theafflicted to flow. Sometimes we were the reason for their tears.

Forgive us, Lord.

When you will wake us on the last day, You, the Son of God, and your voice will make us emerge from our graves, then, Lord, remember us in your love, and gather us with all those who love you into your kingdom for ever and ever. Amen!

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