Passion Sunday: As we get fully into the weeks of mourning what is to come, the images in the Church are draped in purple, hidden, as Christ's Divinity is still hidden, as He hides Himself from those who would stone Him because His "hour is not yet come." Our hymns are thoughtful and sad. "O Sacred Head Surrounded by crown of piercing thorn! O bleeding Head, so wounded, Reviled and put to scorn." We prepare for the blessing and distribution of palms next Sunday and will sing "All glory, laud and honor, to Thee Redeemer King, to Whom the lips of children, make sweet hosannas ring." But the hosannas will be short-lived as Holy Thursday and the Lord's Last Supper followed by His agony and death on Friday come all too quickly. "At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last."
I think how ungrateful we are still, how we forget what Our Lord did for us and for all mankind. There is so much blasphemy, ridicule, ignorance, hate for Him still. His Sacred Heart still bleeds for us and loves us, no matter what. How much do we suffer for our sins on this earth? Not enough. St. Augustine's prayer below has our human nature pegged. It could be for ourselves and/or our country.
Before Thine eyes, O Lord, we bring our sins, and we compare them with the stripes we have received.
If we examine the evil we have wrought, what we suffer is little, what we deserve is great.
We feel the punishment of sin, yet withdraw not from the obstinacy of sinning.
Under Thy lash our inconstancy is visited, but our sinfulness is not changed.
Our suffering soul is tormented, but our neck is not bent.
Our life groans under sorrow, yet amends not in deed.
If Thou spare us, we correct not our ways; if Thou punish, we cannot endure it.
In time of correction we confess our wrongdoing; after Thy visitation we forget that we have wept.
If Thou stretchest forth Thy hand, we promise amendment; if Thou withholdest the sword, we keep not our promise.
If Thou strikest, we cry out for mercy; if thou sparest, we again provoke Thee to strike.
Here we are before Thee, O Lord, confessedly guilty; we know that unless Thou pardon we shall deservedly perish.
Grant then, O Almighty Father, without our deserving it, the pardon we ask; Thou Who madest out of nothing those who ask Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Deal not with us, O Lord, according to our sins.
Neither reward us according to our iniquities.
Let us pray. O God, Who by sin art offended and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of thy suppliant people, and turn away the scourges of Thy wrath, which we deserve for our sins. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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