A Meditation by Cardinal Newman

God has created me to do Him

some definate service,

He has committed some work to me

which He has not committed to another.

I have my mission-

I may never know it in this life,

but I shall be told it in the next.

I am a link in a chain,

a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught.

I shall do good, I shall do His work.

I shall be an angel of peace,

a preacher of truth in my own place

while not intending it-

if I do but keep His Commandments.

Therefore, I will trust Him.

Whatever, whereever I am,

I can never be thrown away.

If I am in sickness,

my sickness may serve Him;

in perplexity my perplexity may serve Him;

if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.

He does nothing in vain.

He knows what He is about.

He may take away my friends,

He may throw me to strangers.

He may make me feel desolate,

make my spirits sink,

hide my future from me-still

He knows what He is about.

Cardinal Newman

Peace of Christ to ALL

Take O Lord.....

Take my lips, O Lord, I pray,
Show me clearly what to say.
Take my ears and let me hear,
Only those things that You make clear.
Take my eyes and let me see
Those beautiful sights you have for me.
Take my hands and let me touch
What will help the others so much.
Take my feet and let me go
To those places that You will show.
Take my mind so every thought
Will remind me of all You've wrought.
Take my heart and let it beat
In tune with Yours at the mercy seat.
Take my life to do Your perfect will
And assure me that You love me still.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Stations Three and Four

THIRD STATION

Jesus Falls the First Time Under His Cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider, this first fall of Jesus under His cross. His flesh was torn by the scourges, His head crowned with thorns, and He had lost a great quantity of blood. He was so weakened that He could scarcely walk, and yet He had to carry this great load upon His shoulders. The soldiers struck Him rudely, and thus He fell several times in His journey.

My beloved Jesus, it is not the weight of the cross, but of my sins, which has made Thee suffer so much pain. Ah, by the merits of this first fall, deliver me from the misfortune of falling into mortal sin. I love Thee, O my Jesus, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen.

FOURTH STATION

Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider, the meeting of the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journey. Jesus and Mary looked at each other, and their looks became as so many arrows to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly.

My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow Thou didst experience in this meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for Thy most holy Mother. And thou, my Queen, who was overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me by thy intercession a continual and tender remembrance of the Passion of thy Son. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen.