As Christ, hung upon the cross He cried out, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Lk 23:34) If they had known that this was the Messiah, the Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, surely they wouldn’t have crucified Him. But they didn’t, they didn’t know who He was, they didn’t recognize Him. Their hearts were stone, their eyes sealed, and ears stopped. Still, Christ called out for their forgiveness.
My Lord and God, how often do I sin against you? How often is my heart stone, eyes shut, ears stopped? If only I had a heart of flesh, or eyes that saw, or ears that heard, surely I wouldn’t sin against you. I know not what I do when I offend you, the pains it caused you, the wounds I commit against myself. In my lowliness I confuse that which is evil for good and good for evil. With every sin I pierce your side, I add to your lacerations. As I pierce your side, let the blood and water flow upon me that my heart may be softened, my eyes opened, and ears unstopped. Make me know what I have done unto you.
On the cross You called out for my forgiveness. My Lord, help me to call out to accept your forgiveness. Make me know what I have done, that your mercy might heal me. Having pierced Your side let me seek your forgiveness and so stand with the Centurion who, “glorified God and said, “This man was innocent beyond doubt.” (Lk 23:47) Heal me, cleanse me Lord, that on the day of Your glory, I might be found worthy to stand at your right, and not on your left (Mt 25:31-46). My sweet mother Mary, you who watched your Son die upon the cross, come to your child now, help me in my weakness.
