This is the holy week of Christ, the week of the divine passion. This is the week of mankind's redemption. Let all mortal flesh attend and with awe behold the unfolding mystery of salvation.
The Lord of Heaven in flesh made manifest rides upon the foal of an ass. The King is come to his chief city to purify her of all unrighteousness,
...To tear down the high places,
...To level the altars of false gods,
...To grind to dust the abominations of idolaters.
Examine your hearts, brethren in Christ, and meet your Lord at the gate of your heart to allow him liberty to purify you from all sin, to take away all doubt, to plant faith in your hearts and fill you with all hope.
The Lamb of God, both divine priest and spotless victim, shall offer himself upon the altar of the Holy Cross for the life of the world. Let all the faithful give heed and mark well the wounds of Christ by which his precious blood was poured out for the cleansing of our souls and bodies. From his side flowed both water and blood. The water signifies our baptism, not a mere outward washing away of dirt, but the spiritual cleansing of our souls by the Holy Spirit who indwells the faithful and unites them in the Body of Christ through which the barrier of the Law has been nullified and we are reconciled to the Father.
Behold the Holy Cross of Jesus!
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Behold the victory of God over Satan and the powers of Hades!
Behold the price of the world's redemption!
Behold the love of God!
“Hail! life-giving Cross, unconquerable trophy of the true faith, door to Paradise, succour of the faithful, rampart set about the Church. Through thee the curse is utterly destroyed, the power of death is swallowed up, and we are raised from earth to heaven...”
