The first word: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they are doing” Lk: 23: 24
And just who did Jesus means by “them”? Caiphas, the high priest and his kangaroo court of unjust-judges, Pilate, the politically astute, gutless wonder, the disappointed, deprived of magic, Herod, the Roman executioners? Or, how about the Apostles, especially Peter, who deserted Him, the mob who profaned, hit, spit at and mocked him, or you and me?
A God does not die, does not suffer and die, for a limited, carefully selected few. No, all, each and every human person, man, woman and child, would have to be included in the possibility of salvation, and even then, the price paid seems too high. Christ was too kind, too gentle; we knew what we were doing. “Father forgive them,” was a shared directive, not a request. God’s heart must love and God’s heart must forgive;
The second word: “Jesus, remember me when you come to your throne” Lk: 23: 42
Some folks “are born lucky,” the really fortunate ones, die lucky. A dying man without hope asked a dying man who had no need of hope for the gift of eternal life and it was granted. Bishop Sheen commented that, “like a thief, he stole Paradise.” Many of us know of someone, who repented, converted, and was saved in the final hours of life. Many more of us know of many more that were not.
The request, “remember me when you return to Paradise” acknowledges Kingship, begs forgiveness, and is a plea to be loved. Love speaks to the thief, as He will speak to us, if we too ask Love with repentant hearts to take us with Him to Paradise. “And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’” Lk: 23: 43
The third word: “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!’” Jn: 19-26-27
Jesus gave us two mothers, His Mother Mary and His bride, His Church. We are to learn from, listen to and obey both. Moments before he granted the request of a repentant sinner, and now He specifically, almost by name, includes you and me in His forgiveness, while still hanging from what appears to be His Cross, but what really is His Royal Throne. A King without a single earthly possession gives what He has, a mother’s love and a mother’s care and concern for the well - being of her children.“Take the love of My mother for yourself.”
***The fourth word: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Mt: .27: 46 ***
The despair was total, abject and complete in every way; in a word, “perfect.” Was Christ in despair for Himself? He was fully, completely human being, but a divine person, retaining only His divine will and intellect that would not interfere with the perfection of this sacrifice.
Christ, for an instant, felt separated from all love, divine and human. But then, as now, our minds and our bodies seem to play tricks on us.Jesus was never without the love of God. The pain was the realization that He did not have our love. You and I didn’t love Him enough to accept His total complete gift of love.
With God, time does not exist, and then is now, future is present, and everything is known. But it is not too late; only death separates us from the possibility of forgiveness and perfect Love. More amazing is that God neither needs or benefits from our love; we cannot exist without His! “abandon Me” No! “Forsake Me” YES! Why? Father must I endure this, is the question.BUT not my will, but thy will be done!
The fifth word: “I Thirst” Jn: 19: 28
Was this a strange request? Jesus had neither food or drink from the time of the Passover Supper where he fore went the final cup of the Seder Traditional Meal. No doubt, He was, and had been, for what must have seemed like eternity, dying of thirst. One can thirst for many things; a drink of liquid, to squelch a parched throat, one can thirst for knowledge, for adventure, for love, and even for death itself. It is clear that what Jesus sought was more than a simple; much needed and desired taste of wine.
Christ is Savior, and was always aware of His role of Redeemer. King David in the Old Testament had foretold of the passion and thirst of the Savior, and every word of the prophecy was to be completed. Physical thirst was part of what the Christ desired, but as it dealt, albeit in a small way with His personal comfort, it was more necessary and important for the fulfillment of Holy Scripture, than satisfying His personal thirst. We gave our Creator and Savior, vinegar and gall, how could we be so generous? What Jesus was saying with a necessary economy of words, is that, even this close to death, He desired to do more for us, desired to love us more.
The sixth word: “It is finished” Jn: 19: 30
Jesus knew He had accomplished the mission. Jesus, literally gave all, gave everything, held nothing in reserve; made the most complete, the most perfect sacrifice possible, even for the God-man. A lesson taught with the personal example of extreme suffering, would now have to serve as sufficient incentive to countless souls desiring to get to heaven. The price of admission was both paid and set. Now the question is, will it be sufficient for you and for me? Are we willing to pay the price? “Take up thy cross and follow me.” Love beckons,
The seventh word: “Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this he breathed his last.” Lk: 23: 46
And not in a shy way, but nearly a shout of joy! Like kings before Him, Jesus was saying: “ I came, I saw and I conquered.” The difference was not in its truth, but in the promised permanence of its reality. “ I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.” Mt: 16: 18
