Saturday - 25th Day of Lent

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"And Pilate calling together the chief priests and the magistrates, and the people, said to them: 'You have presented unto me this Man-and behold, I having examined Him find no cause in this Man, in those things wherein you accuse Him-nor Herod neither. But you have a custom that I should release one unto you at the Pasch; will you then therefore, that I release unto you the King of the Jews or Barabbas?' Then cried they all again, saying: 'Not this Man, but Barabbas'" (Luke 23, 13-15).

Prelude:

With tenderest compassion and profound reverence, behold Jesus, standing silently before the populace, who desire His death and prefer to Him a vile criminal.

Affections: 

 

O Spotless Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, how incomprehensible was the shame heaped upon Thee when Pilate dared to compare Thee, the infinite Sanctity and Majesty, with Barabbas, the most wretched of criminals! Yet how much greater was Thy abasement when the whole people preferred him to Thee! Thus, my dear Savior, to restore fallen man to the image of His Creator Thou wouldst suffer such abasement. Thus Thou wouldst, likewise, atone for my ingratitude, my folly, and faithlessness in esteeming the sweet yoke of Thy love but lightly and choosing rather what might effect my destruction. Pardon my blindness and infidelity, O Jesus, I renounce all affection for creatures, that I may possess Thee alone. Thou shalt henceforth, be the sole object of my love.

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

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Friday - 24th Day of Lent

 

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"And he questioned Him in many words. But He answered him nothing. And Herod with his army set Him at nought, and mocked Him, putting on Him a white garment and sent Him back to Pilate" (Luke 23, 9 - 11).

Prelude:

Behold Jesus, clad in a white garment at the court of Herod, mocked by the Jews.

Affections: 

 

O Eternal Wisdom, Divine Word! Thy love and the desire for our salvation pressed Thee so powerfully to endure all manner of interior and exterior sufferings, to be satiated with pain, ridicule, and contempt, as foretold by the prophet! O my Jesus, I, too, have often offended Thee and requited Thy infinite love with ingratitude. Pardon me, I beseech Thee, and punish me not as Thou didst punish Herod, by refusing to let me hear Thy adorable voice. No, my Jesus, do not remain silent, no matter how unworthy I am to hear Thy words of light and truth. Do not deprive me of Thy holy inspirations. Behold, I am ready to heed Thy voice, and to do whatever Thou wilt require of me. Grant me a true understanding of the folly of the cross, and let me be happy to endure with, and for love of, Thee the contempt, derision, and injustice of men, that Thou mayest recognize in me Thy true disciple. 

 

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

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Thursday - 23rd Day of Lent

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"And when He was accused by the chief priests and ancients, He answered nothing. Then Pilate saith to Him: 'Dost Thou not hear how great testimonies they allege against Thee?' And He answered them never a word, so that the governor wondered exceedingly" (Matt. 27, 14).

Prelude:

Behold Jesus silent, bound like a criminal before the heathen Judge.

Affections: 

 

O my Jesus, how great and sublime is the oblation of Thy holy silence, immolated to the heavenly Father for the salvation of the world! I pray Thee, by Thy infinite merits, grant me the grace never to abuse my tongue by sinful discourse. I repent of all sins and scandals of which I have been guilty in the past by misuse of my tongue. Oh, that in the hour of my death, not a single unnecessary, sinful word may be my accuser before the tribunal of Thy Majesty. Grant me the grace, O Jesus, to imitate Thy most adorable silence. 

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

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Wednesday - 22nd Day of Lent

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"Pilate therefore went into the hall again and called Jesus, and said to Him: 'Art Thou the King of the Jews?' Jesus answered: "Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of Me?' Pilate answered: 'Am I a Jew? Thy own nation and the chief priests have delivered Thee up to me: What hast Thou done?' Jesus answered: 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: But now my kingdom is not from hence'" 

(John  18, 33-37).

Prelude:

Behold Jesus in the court of Pilate.

Affections: 

 

O King of Eternal Glory, it is meet and just for Thee to be a King of this world also. But Thy infinite love rejects all earthly honors and possessions, because Thou wouldst set us an example of humility, wouldst encourage us to despise worldly honors and to strive for the possession of heavenly treasures alone. O Divine Teacher, let us realize that all is naught save to love God and serve Him alone. Teach us heavenly wisdom and truth, which treads all earthly things under foot. Whatever comes from God is truth - Thy holy doctrine, Thy commandments, Thy example, Thy wounds and Thy means of grace. Oh, may our lives ever accord with these truths, that walking in the truth here below, we may one day behold Thee face to face in Thy glory. 

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

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Tuesday - 21st Day of Lent

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"Then they led Jesus from Caiphas to the governor's hall and it was morning: And they went not into the hall, that they might not be defiled, but that they might eat the pasch.  Pilate therefore went out to them, and said: "What accusation bring you against this man?" They answered, and said to Him: "If He were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered Him up to Thee" (John 18, 28-30).

Prelude:

Behold Jesus, bound, on the way to the court of Pilate.

Affections: 

 

O Jesus, God of holiness, in what a condition Thou didst will to appear before men! In order to free me Thou didst take my sins upon Thee. O holy, pure, and spotless Victim, how pleasing Thou art to the Father! Thou alone canst take away the sins of the world and render bountiful satisfaction. What ignominy and sufferings our sins have caused Thee! With sentiments of the deepest gratitude we will accompany Thee, O Jesus, on the way of suffering and with Thee, willingly endure the hardships of life and the contempt of creatures, and thus be made worthy to participate in the merits of Thy sacred passion.

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

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Monday - 20th Day of Lent

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"And when the morning was come, all the chief priests and ancients of the people took counsel against Jesus that they might put Him to death" (Matt. 27, 1).

Prelude:

Behold how Jesus prays silently while His enemies maltreat and deride Him, and at break of day eagerly enters upon His passion. 

Affections: 

 

O my beloved Savior, that it had been possible for me to share Thy confinement in the prison during that night of bitter sufferings and afford Thee some slight consolation and alleviation in Thy bitter pains! Let me abide with Thee to console Thee, to make reparation, and to pray with Thee for sinners. O my beloved Savior, who didst long with inexpressible desire to die in order to give me life, I pray Thee enkindle in my heart the flame of a holy zeal, that it may encourage and reanimate me gladly to suffer for Thee in return. 

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

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Sunday - 19th Day of Lent

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"And He was casting out a devil and the same was dumb" (Luke 11, 14).

Prelude:

Behold this poor victim possessed by a devil, standing before Jesus: he is not able to speak, therefore others must intercede for him. 

Affections: 

 

My Savior and my God, make me prudent in conversation, and patient in silence. Preserve my tongue, which Thou hast consecratest by contact with Thee in Holy Communion, pure and untainted. Grant that I employ it in Thy service alone, for Thy honor and greater glory.

Jesus Mercy! Mary Help!

jesusmercymaryhelp.blogspot.com