O Jesus,
it is not the heavenly reward You have promised
which impels me to love You;
neither is it the threat of hell
that keeps me from offending You.
It is You O Lord,
it is the sight of You
affixed to the Cross and suffering insults;
it is the sight of Your broken body,
as well as Your pains and Your death.
There is nothing You can give me
to make me love You.
For even if there were no heaven and no hell
I would still love you as I do!
The legacy of Good Friday Prayer of Love for the Crucified Lord
The Good Friday Prayer of Love for the Crucified Lord is a Catholic prayer that dates back to the 18th century. It was composed by St. Alphonsus Liguori, an Italian bishop and founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Redemptorists.
The prayer is traditionally recited on Good Friday, the day when Christians commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a devotional prayer that focuses on the suffering of Jesus and the love that he showed for humanity by willingly sacrificing himself on the cross.
Over the years, the Good Friday Prayer of Love for the Crucified Lord has become a beloved and cherished part of Catholic tradition. It is often recited during Holy Week services, and many Catholics incorporate it into their personal prayer practices as a way to deepen their faith and reflect on the meaning of the crucifixion.