Anything under the Sun
The Seven Last Words
While hanging on the Cross, Jesus Christ had spoken for seven times which utterances are not called Seven Last Words of Christ. These utterances have been subject of many a meditation by the faithful. Here are short meditative ideas about them.
-
"Father, forgive them; They do not know what they are doing."
Christ is teaching us here to forgive our enemies which is simply the offshoot of His commandment "Love your neighbor."
-
"I tell you this: today you shall be with me in Paradise."
These words were addressed to the repentant thief on the cross. Christ is teaching us here to repent if we want to go to Heaven (Paradise). Let us pray, too, that God be with us at the very moment of our death.
-
"Woman, behold your son... son behold your mother."
These words were addressed to Mary, His mother and to John, the Apostle. Here Jesus is leaving John (and us as His apostles) to the care of His mother. That is why up to the present Mary cares for us greatly as she cared for John. On the other hand, Jesus teaches John (and also us) to ask Mary as our Mother to care for us. Not only that-Jesus also wants us to care for our neighbors for their spiritual and material needs.
-
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Here, Jesus Christ is teaching us to go to God always especially when all is seem to be lost. Let us never despair and commit suicide like Judas Escariot. Jesus also teaches us not to foresake our children, our parents and those under our care as our pupils, our employees and our political constituents.
-
"I thirst."
Jesus came down to us upon this earth to save us because He loves us very much. We ought to reciprocate that love but instead He was received with hatred. When He said these words, He was actually thirsty of our love for Him.
-
"It is accomplished."
What was accomplished? It was His mission on earth to save all of us from our sins. For this, we should all thank Him.
-
"Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit."
Jesus Christ is teaching us here that at the moment of our death, let us commend, too, our souls to God. Let us make it a habit to commend our souls to God every day-for any day could be our last day here on earth!