Lord Jesus Christ,
I come to Your Cross
as one who humbly kneels in sorrow
before Your wounds.

Your right hand pierced

The hand that lifted the fallen
the hand that touched the leper
the hand that broke bread with sinners
now opened by iron.

Let my hands learn from Yours
to give
serve
and to bless
even when the world counters love
with nails.

Your left hand pierced

You received the cruelty of the world
and returned only mercy.
Teach my heart
to receive what wounds me
without becoming what wounds me.

Your feet pierced

Feet that walked dusty roads toward the poor
feet that did not turn away from suffering.
They did not flee the cross.

Let my steps follow where Yours have gone
not toward comfort
but toward love.

Your sacred side opened

When the spear sliced
Your heart did not close
but opened.

And from that holy wound
flowed mercy deeper than any ocean
and love older than the furthest star.

Let my soul rest there
in the shelter of Your wounded heart.

Five wounds
like five burning lamps
set into the night of this world.

Five doors
through which Your mercy still pours.

Five silent proclamations that love is
stronger than violence
hatred
and death.

Hide me within Your wounds
until my heart learns their language.
Until my hands forgive
my feet follow
and my heart opens widely with love.

As Yours has done
for the life of the world.

Amen