Good Friday (Fr. Francis)
The meaning of this day is clearly indicated by its name in English: it’s Good Friday, the day when God did wonderful things for us by the suffering and death of his Son. Out of his death God has brought us light and life, making it possible for us to be saved. This indeed good day for the world!
Today I would like to reflect with you
THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS
FIRST WORD
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23: 34 The first words that Jesus spoke after being nailed to the cross were ones of forgiveness. The timing of this suggests that Jesus was referring to those enemies – the soldiers, those who mocked, scourged, tortured, and nailed him to the cross. Even though his enemies did not recognize Him as the Messiah, Christ displays his limitless compassion.
SECOND WORD
“Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 43 Christ says these words to a man who is being crucified next to him. Just like the first word, His second is that of forgiveness. God generously opens the door to heaven for those who will to repent of their sins. The sinner recognized Christ for who he was. The mercy of God is always ready to reach out to and save a soul, even at the last minute.
THIRD WORD
“When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he said to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he said to the disciple: Behold thy mother.” John 19: 26-27 Yet again Jesus is continuously compassionate to those around him, making sure that his Mother is cared for after his death. Most scholars speculate that Mary was a widower at the time of the crucifixion. The good son Jesus, without brothers and sisters to provide for his Mother, looks to John to care for her. Just as Christ gave His mother to John, he gives Mother Mary to us.
FOURTH WORD
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matt 27:46 These four words were uttered shortly before His death. This is the only passage where the original Aramaic language is preserved. Here, Jesus was expressing His feelings of abandonment. God placed the sins of the entire world on Him, which overwhelms the humanity of Jesus. His other eleven disciples, once at His side, are nowhere to be found. Jesus fully lived the human experience, and it was by His death that we are redeemed.
FIFTH WORD
“Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst.” John 19:28 Earlier in the Gospel, a drink of wine and myrrh was prepared for Jesus. It was customary in those days to give an anesthetic drink for those about to be crucified. To appease the soldiers Jesus took a sip, but not enough to deaden the pain. In this passage He prompted the guards for his final drink, this one consisting of vinegar and water. Among His seven last words, this is the only verbal expression of his physical suffering, even though he was scourged, crowned with thorns, walked the Way of the Cross, and was nailed to the Cross. However, Jesus’ thirst on the cross was more than a physical thirst; it was a thirst for souls for whom love compelled him to redeem.
SIXTH WORD
“Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated.” John 19:30 Amazingly, Jesus is still conscious after hours of being on the cross. This expression, “It is finished”, did not simply mean that death was upon him, but rather that He fulfilled his mission, and, because he was God, willingly laid down his own life. His preaching, miracles, and finally His earthly suffering would soon be over. His ministry and resulting death would pay the debt of sin for all humanity.
SEVENTH WORD
“And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And saying this, he gave up the ghost.” Luke 23:46 These are the very last words Jesus spoke on the Cross before His final breath. Jesus is willingly giving up His soul to His Father in Heaven. Jesus has been perfectly obedient to His father’s will. It is here that the Lamb of God has been slain for our sins. By contemplating this, and all the last words of Jesus, we can better appreciate Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
On this day the Cross gathers together the three images of Christ – the suffering servant, the great High Priest and triumphant King. In the midst of the passion we see the victory; when we celebrate the Easter we do not forget the Cross. As we venerate this Cross, we gather together the memory of all the living and dead. With our petitions we bring to the cross all the needs of the world. In this way, the cross becomes the true axis mundi, the center of the universe, and Christ revealed as true Passover.
Amen.
Fr. A. Francis HGN