Jesus, your love for your Father brought you to the cross. We are gathered before this magnificent symbol of our faith ton recall the events of Calvary and to thank you for your great sacrifice. Your cross is our life. Your death brought us salvation. As we ponder on the meaning of your death, we ask you to send us the Holy Spirit that we may be able to accept the truth that without sacrifice, we can never be your disciples. Give us the courage to believe that our major challenge in life is the acceptance of suffering and death. You have glorified our suffering and death with your suffering, dying, and rising from the dead. Inspire us to believe that without the cross, there is no glory. Amen.