A Good Friday Meditation
April 10, 2009
What have you done, oh sweetest child, that you should be judged so,
oh loving youth, that you should be brought to this?
What is your offense,
what is your crime,
what is the cause of your death,
what is the reason for your condemnation?
I am the blow which brings you pain
I am at fault that you are murdered
I am to blame for your death
and for the shame of your punishment
I, I am the bruise of your agony,
the hardship of your torment
I indeed acted wickedly, you were chastised in retribution
I committed the deed, you were beaten in punishment
I exalted myself, you were humiliated
I was full of pride, you were humbled
I took what was forbidden, you suffered the sharpness of death
I tasted the sweetness of the fruit, yours was the bitterness of gall.
Oh Son of God, how low has your humility brought you,
where has your charity led you,
where has your love brought you,
where has your compassion taken you?
How can I repay you for everything that you have done for me,
my King and my God?
I will accept the chalice of salvation,
and I will call upon the name of the Lord
I will pay homage to you, oh Lord, before your whole people,
and in eternity will I sing of your mercy.
–Saint Augustine (language updated)