Daily Devotion

Collect of the Day
O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Gospel Reading of the Day, Matthew 27:57-66
57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. 62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, "Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, "After three days I will rise again.' 64 Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, "He has been raised from the dead,' and the last deception would be worse than the first." 65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can." 66 So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

Stations of the Cross
Jesus’ Friends Following in the Way of the Cross

THE WAY OF CHRIST
In love you summon, in love I follow,
Living today for your tomorrow.
Christ to release me,
Christ to enfold me,
Christ to restrain me,
Christ to uphold me.

Tenth Station – Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
Jesus: We finally got to the top of the hill and I knew it would soon be over. The soldiers ripped off my clothing leaving me naked except for the crown of thorns. This was yet another act to humiliate me. They cast lots for my garments, but I didn’t care. My body was beaten and abused. They mocked and cursed me. I had been treated like a criminal. But, they could not break my will – my commitment to my destiny. Soon I would die, not because of them, but for them – and for you, my friend.

Friend: The images of you are intolerable. Wasn’t the incarnation enough – becoming like us in human flesh? Armed with love you came to us. You possessed only the clothes you wore and now those are gone. By comparison, I have so much and sometimes I think my possessions possess me. In my own way I have often stripped you too and left you to suffer alone. I have denied your rightful place at the center of my life. Too often I have turned my back on you and yielded to my fears of failure, rejection and emptiness. Jesus, I share in the shame of your cross. Please absolve me.