Presider: We adore you, O Most Holy Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all of your churches throughout the whole world.

All: And we praise you, because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

Presider: Jesus, we know how embarrassing it is to fall—especially under the watchful eyes of those who despise us. Thinking of you falling perplexes us deeply. Yet seeing you on the ground under the weight of the cross reminds us how fully human you once were. Humanity and falling down we both share.

All: Lord Jesus, help us understand what it means to see you fall. We often cry out for your mercy after we ourselves fall down. Sometimes we cause our own demise; other times we, like you, are exhausted under the pressures of life. Thank you for being human like us. That gives us courage to face our own feeble humanity!