but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

And in his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.]

Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come out to get him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs like you would against an outlaw?

When he learned that he was from Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who also happened to be in Jerusalem at that time.

As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country. They placed the cross on his back and made him carry it behind Jesus.

For this is certain: The days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore children, and the breasts that never nursed!’

[But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”] Then they threw dice to divide his clothes.

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And after he said this he breathed his last.

but they urged him, “Stay with us, because it is getting toward evening and the day is almost done.” So he went in to stay with them.

When he had taken his place at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.

Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,

so that you may know for certain the things you were taught.

Joy and gladness will come to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,

The angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you!”

But his mother replied, “No! He must be named John.”

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,

as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago,

that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us.

He has done this to show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant –

in holiness and righteousness before him for as long as we live.