From the Cross

  "Jesus died that you might live forever. Do you know anyone you would be willing to die for? Do you know anyone at all that would be willing to give your blood for? That's a lot of love. All He's asking in return is repentance for your sins and acknowledgment of your faults. That's a pretty good deal." Mother Angelica. 

   Meditating on the passion of Christ especially during Holy week helps us to know how much Our Lord and Savior suffered for our sins and the sins of the whole world. Let us ponder and meditate on the last seven words Jesus spoke from the cross:

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  

   They treated Jesus with such contempt, anger and hatred. Yet Jesus asks the Father to forgive them. When someone has wronged me perhaps even deeply, do I hold on to my anger and resentment savoring hatred in my heart for the person? I ask the Holy Spirit to give me the grace to forgive this person who has hurt me. I cry out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."  

   One of the thief's that hung on the cross alongside of Jesus came to repentance and cried out:  "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom" Jesus, I thank you for your mercy. Thank you for always forgiving me when I've turned my back on you and followed my own selfish will. I, a repentant sinner cry out too: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

"Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son." Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother."
   Jesus in his excruciating pain and suffering gives us His Blessed Mother. What a profound gift to each of us is our Blessed Mother Mary. Her life is a living testimony of complete obedience and trust in the Father. She stayed at the foot of the cross as a sword of sorrow deeply pierced her heart to see her precious son suffer and die. Let us unite our pain and suffering to the passion of Jesus just like Mary did.

"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

   Jesus cried out to the Father why have you left me in such agony? When I experienced the death of my son, David, those words pierced my heart as well. Where are you God? I am alone and feel like you have abandoned me. But Jesus did not abandon me. He keeps His promise: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” How many times have you cried out those words when you are in great physical, emotional and spiritual pain? “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” If, at this moment you are going through a very difficult challenge causing you to be filled with doubt and anxiety, ask Mary to take your hand and lead you to the cross of her son Jesus Christ.  Bring it all to Jesus who has overcome death and anything life can throw at you.  Nothing is impossible for God.

 "I thirst." 

   Jesus' physical thirst from the cross must have been unbearable. Jesus thirst physically but his deepest thirst is for souls. “I Thirst is something much deeper than just Jesus saying 'I love you.'  Until you know deep inside that Jesus thirsts for you – you can’t begin to know who He wants to be for you. Or who he wants you to be for Him.” St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."  

   I too, must surrender all to you Father. I too surrender my life to you just as it is. I too, surrender my successes, failures and attempts to you, Father. Whatever I am going through at this moment, I pray for the courage to cry out like Jesus, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

"It is finished"

   When Jesus had received the wine, He said, "It is finished;" and He bowed His head and handed over His Spirit." I bow down in humble adoration before you, my Jesus. You gave all so I could be free to love you, serve you, and to be with you forever in Heaven. I love you my King and my Lord.
 

"He himself bore our sins in His body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.  By His wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24.