If
we were given the chance of seven last sentences how different they would be
from those used by Jesus!
Here
he was, nailed to a rough wooden cross. He had been scourged, crowned with
thorns and made to carry a heavy cross
…….here
he was, an innocent victim;
…….here
he was, loving us to the end;
The
words that he spoke meant a great deal; to be able to speak he would have had
to raise himself on his tortured feet and fight for breath against the
suffocating agony of crucifixion.
In
this meditation let us consider the words he spoke and reflect on them in
relation to our lives.
1. Jesus cried,
“MY
GOD, MY GOD WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”
A
cry from the heart is always answered by our loving Father, but sometimes we
fail to recognize him in the guises of those who come to our aid.
How
frequently we cry “WHERE ARE YOU?” when he is there all along.
How
often we struggle with our own agonies before we realise that he who “descended
into Hell” is there and even at our lowest depths he does not forsake us.
How
often we refuse to act in love and by such lack of action stop God using us to
present him to others.
2. Jesus cried,
“I
THIRST”
I
should thirst for God: instead I thirst for recognition.
I
should thirst to do his will, as Jesus did, but all too often I make him take
second place.
I
should thirst to be one with Jesus, but I ask that it be under my conditions.
I
should thirst to rely on God but refuse to let go of my own independence.
I
thirst for truth, but refuse to be challenged by it, or act on the truth I
find.
I
thirst to receive, yet fail to allow others to give to me.
I
thirst to give, but refuse to share with others the precious gift of myself.
3.
Jesus looked at his mother
and the disciple he loved and
said,
“THIS
IS YOUR SON,……THIS IS YOUR MOTHER”
Do
we believe Jesus?
Do we take him at his word?
Do
we love as Jesus commands?
Or
are we selective in choosing whom to love?
Do
we close our eyes, refusing to see that every child of God is special?
Do
we pray one thing and do another?
4.
Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“FATHER,
INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT”
How
often do we fail to act as God’s Spirit leads us?
Do
we trust God to know what is best…….
Do
we let God be God?
Do
we only listen to what we want to hear?…..
Do
we only turn to God as a last resort?
Do
we allow ourselves to be loved by God?……
Do
we resist his love?
5. They crucified him there, and the two criminals also, one on
the
right and one on the left.
Jesus
said,
“FATHER
FORGIVE THEM; THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING”
For
the times when we treat others with disrespect…….
“Father
forgive us, we know not what we do”
For
abortions and neglect of human rights…….
“Father
forgive us, we know not what we do”
For
starving people and refugees…….
“Father
forgive us, we know not what we do”
For
neglecting the homeless…….
“Father
forgive us, we know not what we do”
For
using physical or verbal violence immorally…….
“Father
forgive us, we know not what we do”
For
thinking, “Its not my problem…….”
“Father
forgive us, we know not what we do”
6. He said,
“IT
IS FINISHED”
God’s
love and care has been expressed in the sacrifice of his son.
God
has paid the price we could not pay, forgiveness of sin, restored justice and
shown mercy.
We
can accept God’s love, live by his love and follow his will.
We
can work with God, be healed by his power.
Be
at one with him.
We
are free.
7. The good thief said, “Remember me, when you come into your Kingdom.”
Jesus
said to him,
“INDEED,
I PROMISE YOU, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.”
Jesus
triumphed over sin and has promised that :
He
will come to those who welcome him.
He
will be with us until the end of time.
He
will not leave us orphans.
The
King of Kings, our Lord and God will lead us safely to be with him forever in
Paradise.
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