I like this sentiment, especially on a penitential Friday. All too often, we neglect a focus on the Cross in our prayers. I would doubt that any day is complete without a reminiscence of Good Friday. On those days that I am most overburdened, I often go back to our liturgy and say the Impropreria with Trisagion, the same antiphons and responses chanted during the adoration of the Cross on Good Friday, often with the Crux Fidelis (part of the Pange Lingua):
Faithful Cross!
above all other,
one and only noble Tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom,
none in fruit thy peers may be;
sweetest wood and sweetest iron!
Sweetest Weight is hung on thee!
Lofty tree, bend down thy branches,
to embrace thy sacred load;
oh, relax the native tension
of that all too rigid wood;
gently, gently bear the members
of thy dying King and God.
Tree, which solely wast found worthy
the world’s Victim to sustain.
harbor from the raging tempest!
ark, that saved the world again!
Tree, with sacred blood anointed
of the Lamb for sinners slain.
Blessing, honor, everlasting,
to the immortal Deity;
to the Father, Son, and Spirit,
equal praises ever be;
glory through the earth and heaven
to Trinity in Unity. Amen.
