Augustine on Holy Week

From the Office of Readings (taken from Augustine):

It is a great thing that we are promised by the Lord; but far greater is what has already been done for us, and that which we now commemorate....

He had no power of himself to die for us: he had to take from us our mortal flesh... Of ourselves we had no power to live, nor did he of himself have the power to die. Accordingly, he effected a wonderful exchange with us, through mutual sharing: we gave him the power to die, he will give us the power to live.

He loved us so much that, sinless himself, he suffered for us sinners the punishment we deserved for our sins. How then can he fail to give us the reward we deserve for our righteousness, for he is the source of righteousness?

Brethren, let us then fearlessly acknowledge, and even openly proclaim, that Christ was crucified for us; let us confess it, not in fear but in joy, not in shame but in glory.

The apostle Paul said, Let me not boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.