Reading: (Isaiah 53:1-3)

Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised and we esteemed him not.

Christ Speaks

Can you be brave enough to wipe my bloody face? “Where is your face?” you may ask me, and I will answer; “everywhere: at home, whenever eyes fill up with tears, at work, when tensions rise in the classroom, on playgrounds, in the remote and dirty villages, the court, the hospitals, the jails, wherever suffering exists, my face is there and there I look for you to wipe away my blood and tears.

Congregation

Lord, this is hard it needs courage and self sacrifice. It is an uncomfortable job but I will not run away from it. Come and act in me, and not in me alone – in all men so that we may reveal not your bloody but your glorious face on earth.

Glory be to the Father...

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord!
R. Hame mercy on us!
V. May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
R. Amen.