We listen to the readings, and as we do so, we are called to be in union with Jesus in His suffering on the cross.
We are not bystanders or spectators of the cross. We are called to take up our cross and follow Jesus and “with Christ we hang upon the cross” (Gal 2:19)
Yes, with Christ we are crucified upon the cross, and afterwards we pray the Solemn Intercessions.
We enter into the heart of Jesus as He hangs upon the cross and to unite with Him as we offer up our prayers for the Church and the world and for those who are searching and suffering.
Then we come forward to adore the Cross. In whatever act of adoration of the Cross, we are telling Jesus that we will embrace our own crosses and offer our lives to Him.
And with that we enter into communion with Him in Holy Communion.
So today we are not asking Jesus for something. Rather we want to give Jesus something that is precious to us – our lives.
We are not going to ask God to save us from death, because we want to die to ourselves.
But we believe that God will save us out of death, just as He saved Jesus out of death by raising Him from death.
And just as Jesus was raised to life, we too will be raised to life.
So we embrace the cross, for in the cross is our glory and our salvation.