English (United States) 
"Suffering" - Meditations of Lent
Precious Savior, even before Your Passion reached the cruelty of death and the shedding of blood, what infamies of reproach You patiently heard, what mockings of contempt You suffered.
You crown martyrs with eternal flowers; yet for us You were crowned with thorns. You give victory palm branches to those who overcome; yet for us You were struck on the face with palms. You clothe us with immortality; yet for us You were stripped of Your earthly garments. You give us heavenly food; yet for us You were fed with bitter gall. You hold the cup of salvation; yet for us You were given vinegar to drink. You are guiltless, the just One; indeed, You are innocence itself and justice itself, yet for us You were counted among transgressors and truth was suppressed with false witnesses. You shall judge; yet for us You were judged. You are the Word of God; yet for us You were led silently to the slaughter.
When You hung on the cross, the stars were confounded, the elements were disturbed, the earth quaked, night shut out the day, the sun withdrew his rays that he might not be compelled to look upon the crime.
And after all these things, You still receive Your murderers if they will turn and come to You; and with a saving patience You close Your church to no one.
Those adversaries, those blasphemers, those who were enemies of Your name, if they repent of their sin and acknowledge their crime – You receive them, not only pardoning their sin but rewarding them with the heavenly kingdom. Who can be said to more patient, more merciful?
Empower us, who have placed ourselves in You by faith, who have clothed ourselves with You, who [walk] on You, the Way of salvation; empower us that we may follow Your example.
Cyprian (c. 200-258)