The words Jesus Christ addressed to the cross

Source: archive.org

When our Redeemer caught sight of the cross, He gazed upon it with the greatest joy, like a bridegroom contemplating the precious jewels of his bride. As He received it, He addressed these words to it inwardly:

“O Cross, so long awaited and desired, come to me, my beloved; receive me into your arms, so that my Eternal Father may receive upon you, as upon a sacred altar, the sacrifice of eternal reconciliation with the human race.

I descended from heaven to live a mortal life in a passible body, in order to die in your arms; for you must be the scepter by which I shall triumph over all my enemies, the key with which I shall open the gates of paradise to my elect, the sanctuary where the guilty children of Adam shall find mercy, and the channel of treasures that can enrich them in their poverty.

I wish to use you to ennoble the dishonors and reproaches of men, so that my friends may embrace them with joy and seek them eagerly, in order to follow me along the path that I shall prepare for them through you.

I bless you, my Father, Eternal God, Lord of heaven and earth; and, in obedience to Your divine will, I place upon my shoulders the wood of the sacrifice of my passible and most innocent humanity, and I willingly accept it for the eternal salvation of mankind.

Receive it, my Father, to satisfy Your justice, so that from now on they may be servants no longer, but children who are heirs with me to Your kingdom.”