Fourth Sunday after Holy Cross
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 24:45-51
O Holy Wood, you are thrice-blessed;
the New Adam was raised upon you,
Jesus, the King of Creation.
The subtle serpent deceived fair Eve,
giving her to eat from the tree;
the Cross of Christ overcomes his lies:
death on that tree gave us new life.
From the New Eve, the Holy Maid,
the true Fruit of Life has been given,
Adam's loss by Cross now restored.
Adam took and ate; dying, he died;
so have all of Adam's children.
Christ tasted death; dying, destroyed death;
made us to be children of God.
O Lord, Your Cross is salvation;
it overcomes all sin, all disgrace,
and washes away all offense.
By Your Cross we were born into light
and learn the way to live in grace,
finding victory against darkness,
and joy in this newness of life.
