Good Friday

 

 

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS (2025)

The "Seven Last Words of Jesus" on the cross are seven expressions Jesus made during His crucifixion, recorded across the four Gospels. They hold deep spiritual meaning and are often meditated on during Good Friday services.

1. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Is it possible that someone does not know what they are doing is wrong? It is possible that evil and sin are so deceptive that one is not aware that is committing sin or doing evil. The evil attraction is such that one is not able to resist it even if one knows that what one is doing is evil and sinful. Many people do things which they do not want to do.

 As St. Paul expresses, he does the very thing that he does not want to do ( Rom 7:19-25). Jesus says that my spirit is willing, but his flesh is weak. The Lord knows human frailty. Lord prays for us on the cross that one's sins may be forgiven, for we are not aware of what we do. As Jesus is kind and good in praying for forgiveness, let us learn to take responsibility for our sins.  

2. "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)

The good thief asks Jesus to save him. Jesus accepts his wish. It is a grace to ask for the right help and support at the right time. The good thief lived an evil life, but as he was crucified along with Jesus, he asked for something noble for his life. It is grace, wisdom, and prudence to know one’s state of life and ask for noble things instead of worldly concerns.

Seek for the Kingdom of God, and everything will be added unto you. Do we seek the Kingdom of God or our own kingdom, which is temporary? Do we seek paradise, or do we seek worldly pleasures? Do we believe in the Paradise? Is Paradise a drug for us, or is it love for God and others, which is life in fullness for eternity?

3. "Woman, behold your son. [...] Behold your mother."( John 19:26–27)

The role of the mother is vital in everyone's life. Jesus entrusted his mother to John. John to her mother. At the death of Jesus, Mary and John needed care as they were dear to Jesus. Their closeness and love are manifested by their very presence at the foot of the cross. Jesus gave us Mary as our mother more than John, and we are the caretakers of Mother Mary. Mary needs care, love and support.

More than our care for our elderly people in our homes, they give us much love and encouragement in life. Yet, we are not aware that elderly people in our surroundings are a blessing and support. Let us care for them and support them more than that. We should make use of their presence and experience of life as a means to be better people and understand life. Experience is the best teacher. We need Mary more than Mary needs us.  Let us value the spiritual care of Mary, our Blessed Mother, in our lives, and let us take her to the home of our hearts.

 

 

 

4. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)

Jesus, as human and divine, felt that he was forsaken. He expressed a sort of helplessness. Hr felt a need for support and love from humans and God. It is a common sentiment in humans often as forsaken by dear ones and God. Many saints felt in their life. The feeling of abandonment can lead us to enter a deeper relationship with God. It is not an unfortunate state of life, but such a forsaken sense takes us closer to God and others.

Do we experience that God and others forsake us? Do we forsake God and others? Betrayal is mutual in the case of humans. We forsake our brothers and sisters in their need of care and support. We have forsaken our brothers and sisters for our selfish ends in many moments. Let us learn to support them in their need. Jesus is like an unchanging friend who supports us in our desolation and weakness.

5. "I thirst." (John 19:28)

Jesus is thirsty on the cross. His thirst is real. They gave him vinegar to drink. He asked for a drink, but they did not give him a drink to quench his thirst. They have violated the basic needs of a dying person. If the dying person's wishes are fulfilled, it is painful. The thirst was not only for water but for human souls. The thirst was for the love of those who are far away from God's love and commandments.

Are we thirsty for the love of God and for those who are in need? Let us recall a moment when we were parched and relive that moment. A thirsty person is desperate to quench thirst. Have we seen a thirsty person? Let us be conscious of physical thirst and its consequences. If the physical thirst is so agonising, the spiritual thirst will be much more unbearable. The only person who can quench our physical and spiritual thirst is Jesus. He thirsts for us to quench our thirst for life eternal.

6. "It is finished." (John 19:30)

It is done. He is going to give up his life. The will of God is accomplished. Humanity is saved. Sins are forgiven. God's plan is carried out. The devil is chained. Humans have hope. The mission of Jesus has come to a good end. The love of God is manifested for humans on the cross. The sacrifice is completed on the cross. There is no more slavery but freedom into eternal life.

When do we say it is over or it is done? Something over for us means it is with regard to some fulfilled and unfulfilled wishes. A person's death is an end for us, but for the Lord, every end is a beginning. The Lord gives us hope for eternity. Life is not finished but the beginning of another life that will never end. We end to begin in the Lord.

7. "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." ( Luke 23:46)

Jesus surrounds himself with the Father. At the end of life, one has to submit to the will of the Father. Life in this world is only a way to learn to give our spirit to God. It is prayer that one has to make to entrust oneself into the hands of God. The highest fulfilment of human life is to entrust oneself to the hands of God, for we are safe. Are people safe in our hands?

Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb