SEVEN LAST WORDS (SAYINGS)
OF JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS

"FORGIVE THEM"

1. “And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’” (Luke 23:34).

Jesus demonstrates his love and mercy by asking God to forgive those who shamed and crucified him. In the presence of his mortal enemies, he remained silent, prayerful and forgiving. Have I genuinely accepted God's forgiveness of my sins and failures? Do I strip away my own dignity and hammer failure deep into my soul?

Do I witness humility by wearing modest clothing? Is my soul clothed in God's glorious truth? Have I ever harmed an innocent person or taken an innocent life? Have I asked pardon from the one whom I harmed? Am I merciful to the those who offended me? If each wound on Jesus' body represented a sin, how many times have I struck him with my wrong-doings? Do I know what I am doing?

"YOU WILL BE WITH ME"

2. “And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’” (Luke 23:43).

Jesus assures the repentent thief on the cross that when he died, he would be with him in paradise. God will not permit strangers to share his heavenly banquet. Left to ourselves, none of us are worthy of paradise. Jesus will say to each soul at judgment: Were you faithful to me in every way? What does Jesus want to say to me?

Am I listening to him? Do I let him do the talking or do I interrupt him all the time? When Jesus speaks, do I reject him? What have I sacrificed today for the sake of Jesus’ passion and death? Do I have the courage to walk the path of righteousness? Do I want Christ to lead me to paradise? Will I follow him?

"BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER"

3. “When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’” (John 19:26-27)

Jesus wants his mother Mary to be cared for after his death. He makes sure that the Church will always have a spiritual mother in Mary. When Jesus looks at me, who does he see? Does he see a disciple who returns his love? Do I really believe that heaven is my true home? Have I accepted my adoption into the Father's household? Am I a loyal brother or sister of Christ?

Have I entrusted myself to Mary's maternal love for me? Do I implore her motherly care when I am weary and want to give up? Do I comfort others in their sorrows? Would I follow Jesus to Calvary if it meant my crucifixion? Would I die for the sake of the name of Jesus? If anyone looks into my heart, will he see Jesus and his mother living there?

"MY GOD, WHY?"

4. “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’” (Matthew 27:46).

Jesus expressed the overwhelming burden of pain as he carried the heavy cross on his shoulders. No one has ever suffered like Jesus Christ. No one ever will. Even so, the anguish of the cross was nothing compared to the pain he endured from the sins of the whole world. Jesus alone was the Christ. Jesus alone shouldered the burden of the cross.

Jesus alone died that I might live. He dreaded the hour of evil but was not afraid of his destiny. Do I fulfill my Christian responsibilities faithfully? Have I forsaken Jesus by what I have said or done? Have I been true to him in word and deed? Do I love God with all my heart, with all my soul, will all my strength, and with all my will? Do I love my neighbor as I love myself?

"I THIRST"

5. “After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the scripture), ‘I thirst.’” (John 19:28).

Jesus was thirsty. All he wanted in his hour of agony was a cup of cold water. To all men and women he offered the life-giving water of faith. But in turn, we gave him bitter gall to drink. Our Lord thirsted for a world of justice crowned by Divine Mercy.

If I poured my heart out into the chalice of Christ, what would I make him drink? Would it be the love of an merciful heart? Would its goodness nourish his body and revive his soul? Have I given comfort to the broken-hearted? Am I thirsty for the truth of God? Am I thirsty for life-giving change? Do I thirst for the things of heaven?

"IT IS FINISHED"

6. “When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, ‘It is finished.’” (John 19:30).

Without suffering and dying on the cross, Jesus' mission would never be complete. In offering the sacrifice of his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, Jesus wiped away the guilt of all sinners. By freely offering himself as the spotless lamb, he fulfilled the will and works of his heavenly Father. The Church was born through blood and water which poured from his side.

How do I resolve bitterness and frustration? Have I accepted my responsibilities to the full? Do I fulfill my obligations? Do I cling to past hurts and disappointments? Do I remain faithful to God when things are easy; will I trust God when all appears to be failure? Do I respect the names of God at all times? Have I entrusted myself to the Lord's mercy? Am I submissive to God’s Holy Spirit, allowing him to lead and guide me in my journey?

"I COMMIT MY SPIRIT"

7. “Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:46).

Jesus entrusts his spirit into the custody of the Father's love, indicating the moment of his death and his profound trust. Christ wants to lead all persons to the Father.The Light of Life has destroyed the shadow of death. If I stood near the cross when Jesus died, would I have remained there to pray for his soul? Have I reverently buried the dead in consecrated ground? What words do I use when I cry aloud? Do I curse God when I am sick and complain about everything when I am well?

What is the last thing I do every day? In the moment of work or play, in the moment of conversation, in the last moment before sleep, in the moment of hopes and dreams, do I entrust my immortal spirit to God's tender providence? Is the last word on my lips a word of thanksgiving to God? Is the last thing on my mind a word of God's truth? Is the last act of love in my heart a gift to the good God who loves me?