A week from today, the Church and many other religions will recall the three hours that Jesus would suffer on the cross and then die. Our Church has marked these three hours with solemn and stark ceremonies since the eighteenth century. Servant of God, Jesuit Father Alphonsus Messia, died in Lima, Peru on January 4, 1732. This dedicated missionary to the New World devised and practiced the devotion during these sacred minutes of Good Friday. He initiated a reflection on the seven last words (Today we would call them the seven last sentences) for the three hours of Jesus' suffering and death. By the year 1788 the devotion was introduced in Rome and began its spread throughout the world. Beginning tomorrow Prayer on the Hill will provide a reflection on each of the "words." Dominican Father Romanus Cessario was the guest preacher of the seven last words at St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City. His reflections and instructions are the basis for the Prayer on the Hill offerings for these seven days. It is this blogger's intention and hope that these reflections will make Holy Week more meaningful and grace-filled for you.
As a preparation, you might put the following thoughts into your heart. Today most people want to know more about Jesus. Why did he have to endure three hours of suffering and dying? After the journey with the shouldered cross, why more suffering, the suffering of crucifixion? Fr. Cessario noted that "Death by crucifixion allowed Jesus sufficient time to reflect, and to speak." In these painful moments he was able to think and offer the words of a dying man.
What was he thinking in those painful moments? It is the seven words that introduce us to the mind of Jesus Christ. In these final words we come to a deeper understanding of the humanity of Jesus. Again, Fr. Cessario's reflection:
As a preparation, you might put the following thoughts into your heart. Today most people want to know more about Jesus. Why did he have to endure three hours of suffering and dying? After the journey with the shouldered cross, why more suffering, the suffering of crucifixion? Fr. Cessario noted that "Death by crucifixion allowed Jesus sufficient time to reflect, and to speak." In these painful moments he was able to think and offer the words of a dying man.
What was he thinking in those painful moments? It is the seven words that introduce us to the mind of Jesus Christ. In these final words we come to a deeper understanding of the humanity of Jesus. Again, Fr. Cessario's reflection:
They are words that bring forgiveness:
Father, forgive them.
They are words that announce Christ's purpose for us:
This day you will be with me in paradise.
They are words of invitation:
There is your mother.
They are words that reveal sympathy with all forms of human suffering:
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
They are words of desire and assurance:
I thirst.
They are words that announce a love that lasts for ever:
It is finished.
They are words that instruct us about the most important of things in life:
Father, into you hands I commend my spirit.
Remember this:
These words were spoken for us only once. Treasure them.
Father, forgive them.
They are words that announce Christ's purpose for us:
This day you will be with me in paradise.
They are words of invitation:
There is your mother.
They are words that reveal sympathy with all forms of human suffering:
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
They are words of desire and assurance:
I thirst.
They are words that announce a love that lasts for ever:
It is finished.
They are words that instruct us about the most important of things in life:
Father, into you hands I commend my spirit.
Remember this:
These words were spoken for us only once. Treasure them.
