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Behold, the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night, and blessed is that servant whom He shall find watching, unworthy however, is he whom He shall find slothful. Thus beware, O my Soul, be not overcome by sleep, lest thou be given over to death and find the door of the Kingdom shut against thee. But rouse thyself and cry aloud: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God, by the power of Your Cross save us.
I see Your Bridal Chamber adorned, O my Saviour, and I have no wedding garment, that I may enter therein; O Giver of Light, make radiant the vesture of my Soul, and save me.
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As the Lord’s saving Passion begins today, so this day is illustrious all the more. O lovers of Holy days, let us greet it with Sacred songs. For the Creator is coming to accept to be Crucified, to be judged by Pilate, the trials, the buffeting. Moreover He is struck on the head by a servant. In order to save mankind, He submissively bears it all. Let us therefore cry out to Him, “Benevolent Christ our God, grant forgiveness of offenses to us all who honour Your immaculate Passion with faith and love.”
We have arrived, O faithful, at the saving Passion of Christ our God. Let us Glorify His ineffable forbearance, so that in His tender Mercy He might raise us with Himself, deadened by sin as we are, for He is good and benevolent.
As the Lord was coming to His voluntary Passion, He said to the Apostles on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be betrayed, as it is written of Him.” Come, then, and with our minds now purified, let us also go with Him and be crucified with Him and die for Him to the pleasures of this life, so that we may also live with Him and hear Him when He says, “No longer am I going up to the earthly Jerusalem to suffer there, but rather I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God as well. And I will raise you up with me to the Jerusalem on High in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
“Having cast off every stain of the passions, take upon yourselves a prudent disposition worthy of the Kingdom and rule of God.” Thus You spoke to Your Apostles beforehand, O Wisdom of all. “In which Kingdom, you shall be Glorified and shining brighter than the sun.”
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With what eyes can I dare look at your Holy and beautiful face, since I blighted my sense of sight by the passions of the flesh? And again, how am I to kiss your Holy Icon, which is the work of God, with lips unholy, since I am prodigal? Being deplorable, how can I extend my hands to Pray for Grace, when I have defiled them? O Lady, save me, I Pray.
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