One of my favorite portions of the Good Friday service come as the service is coming to a close. These words are entitled “The Solemn Reproaches” and have been a part of the liturgical service for centuries. Pray them with me as you envision Jesus hanging on the tree. Feel the anguish. Remember the love. Give thanks for the blessings of forgiveness as Jesus has died for you and me!

O my people, O my church, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you?  Answer me.
I led you out of slavery into freedom, and delivered you through the waters of rebirth, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

O my people, O my church, what more could I have done for you? Answer me.
Forty years I led you through the desert, feeding you with manna on the way; I saved you from the time of trial and gave you my body, the bread of heaven, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

O my people, O my church, what more could I have done for you?  Answer me.
I led you on your way in a pillar of cloud and fire, but you led me to the judgment hall of Pilate; I guided you by the light of the Holy Spirit, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

O my people, O my church, what more could I have done for you?  Answer me.
I planted you as my fairest vineyard, but you brought forth bitter fruit; I made you branches of the vine and never left your side, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

O my people, O my church, what more could I have done for you? Answer me.
I poured out saving water from the rock, but you gave me vinegar to drink; I poured out my life and gave you the new covenant in my blood, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

O my people, O my church, what more could I have done for you?  Answer me.
I gave you a royal scepter, but you gave me a crown of thorns;  I gave you the kingdom and crowned you with eternal life, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

O my people, O my church, what more could I have done for you?  Answer me.
I struck down your enemies, but you struck my head with a reed; I gave you my peace, but you draw the sword in my name, and you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

O my people, O my church, what more could I have done for you?  Answer me.
I opened the waters to lead you to the promised land, but you opened my side with a spear; I washed your feet as a sign of my love, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

O my people, O my church, what more could I have done for you?  Answer me.
I lifted you up to the heights, but you lifted me high on a cross;  I raised you from death and prepared for you the tree of life, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

O my people, O my church, what more could I have done for you? Answer me.
I grafted you into my people Israel, but you made them scapegoats for your own guilt, and you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

O my people, O my church, what more could I have done for you?  Answer me.
I came to you in the least of your brothers and sisters, but I was hungry and you gave me no food, thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me, and you have prepared a cross for your Savior.