LOOK AT THE CRUCIFIX – If you want to know God, look at the Crucifix. – If you want to love God, look at the Crucifix. – If you want to know the infinite, eternal love of God, look at the Crucifix. – If you wish to have a part in giving that same love to others, look at the Crucifix. – If you want to know who you are and your worth, look at the Crucifix. – If you want to know how you were saved from the jaws of hell, look at the Crucifix. – If you want to know how much God wants to save your immortal soul, look at the Crucifix. – If you want to know Who will lead you to Heaven, look at the Crucifix. – If you want to live well, look at the Crucifix. – If you want to die well, look at the Crucifix. PRAYER BEFORE THE CRUCIFIX (PRAYER TO JESUS CRUCIFIED) “Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul I pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment; while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy five wounds, pondering over them within me, having in mind the words which David, Thy prophet, said of Thee, my Jesus: "They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones." This is prayed while kneeling before a crucifix. A plenary indulgence may be gained under the usual conditions. A partial indulgence may also be gained for each devout recitation.
Beautiful. But i think we cannot just look at the Cross. We too must carry thr crosses God will for us and like Christ venerate our crosses - instruments of our "deaths" but which lead to life. Peace.
The poem is an invitation to do precisely that in incremental steps… Know God … love God … feel the infinite love of God … give that same love to others … live well (for God) … die well (die to oneself and share in His divine life) … Blessings to all!
