Jesus, how often we ask You to give us proof that You exist, to let us know that You are truly Present, to show us some concrete sign that would convince us once and for all that You are really with us.
What if You were to honor that request and we saw You on the Cross, just as You were at the time You satisfied Divine Justice in our place?
How could our hearts bear even a glimpse?
Jesus, which of the blows and wounds on Your Sacred Body did I earn, which ones did I cause You? If my request for proof were honored, would I then come to know of every last one?
What a moment, to look into Your suffering eyes while in return You cast back a look not of disdain but of love, Your love, which defies all human understanding.
Jesus, thank You for Your great love and mercy! I believe!! My sweet Jesus how much I love You in return, and how I want to love You even more!
"O Jesus, many times in my life I have preferred Barabbas to you. There is no way that I can undo those choices but to make my way to your feet and beg your forgiveness. But that is so humiliating, for you wear the garment of a fool, and you bear in your hand the reed scepter of a mock king! It is so hard for me to do penance and to admit that I am guilty! It is so hard to be seen with you, who are wearing your crown of thorns. It is hard! But let me see, Jesus, that it is harder to wear the crown of thorns." 1
-Fulton J. Sheen, The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death.
"When you think of going to Mass on working days, it is an impulse of the grace that God wills to grant you. Follow it." 2
-Cure' D'ars
Live in imitation of Christ. God is at work in you!
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1 Fulton J. Sheen, The Way of the Cross (Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, Inc., 1982)pp. 8-9.
2 Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney, Thoughts of the Cure' D'ars (Rockford, IL: Tan Books and Publishers, 1967) p. 57.