THE LAST 7 WORDS OF JESUS
Today, we celebrate Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord. The Mass is not celebrated today & our focus is not on the altar table of the Eucharist but on “the Cross, on which hung the salvation of the world” as sung by the priest during the Rite of the Showing of the Holy Cross. Today, we adore Jesus, our personal Lord & Saviour. It is He who suffered for me & accepted death on a cross (cf Philippians 2:8) for my sins – ‘the Son of God who loved us & gave himself for me’ (cf Galatians 2:20).
As we look at Jesus crucified & hanging on the cross today, let us, with gratitude for His Saving death, listen to Jesus’ last 7 words & reflect on our response to Jesus’ laying down His life for us, His friends (cf John15:13) today.
1st Word: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34)
Jesus forgave his murderers! He also forgives my sins! How can I not forgive others who hurt me?
2nd Word: "You will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43)
Jesus pardoned the good thief of his sins at the last moments of his life & promised him redemption. His promise of forgiveness, salvation & eternal life is offered to all. Will you renew now your faith & belief in Jesus & your commitment to Him as your Lord & Saviour?
3rd Word: "Woman, behold your son … Behold your mother" (John 19:26,27)
Jesus placed us all under the maternal love & care of His Mother Mary & invites us to take her into our homes & our lives. How can I love & trust our Blessed Mother Mary more & honour her as my very own mother?
4th Word: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)
Jesus cried out in anguish to God with this opening verse from Psalm 22. Can we, in our sorrow & pain, join with Jesus to cry out to God for mercy? Note that Psalm 22 concludes with an affirmation of God’s deliverance & salvation. Can we also see beyond our suffering to the healing & relief that the Lord will give us?
5th Word: "I am thirsty!" (John 19:28)
Will you quench Jesus’ thirst for your whole-hearted love for him? Can you quench the thirst of so many others for forgiveness, understanding, care, a listening ear & an encouraging word?
6th Word: "It is finished" (John 19:30)
The sacrifice is done! The tyranny of sin & death is destroyed forever! Jesus’ atoning death on the cross has brought us salvation. How will we live our lives going forward as the beloved & redeemed sons & daughters of the Lord?
7th Word: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46)
Jesus entrusted His all into His Father’s Hands as he died on the cross. Can we, in our daily lives, entrust all our care, concerns, joys & happiness, trials & defeats into God’s Hands with the certain hope of resurrection?
Here’s a moving & beautiful song “O Mighty Cross” to guide your prayer & reflection.
https://youtu.be/iLzYiLGTntE?si=FnB1w28bfzwAAuH-
Connect again tomorrow for Part 3 – Holy Saturday.
Article by Damian Boon, HFC Blog Team Lead