michael owens

As Jesus hung on the cross on Good Friday, He spoke seven times. Each word was deliberate. Each word was profound. Here is what He said: 1. “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) He said this while the soldiers were still nailing Him to the cross. Not after. While it was happening. His first words from the cross were a prayer for the people killing Him. 2. “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) The last person Jesus saved before He died was a convicted criminal hanging next to Him. The Church recognizes him as Saint Dismas. He asked only to be remembered. Jesus gave him Paradise. 3. “Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother.” (John 19:26-27) Nailed to the cross, Jesus looked down and entrusted His mother to John. The Church holds that in this moment Jesus was not only providing for Mary personally. He was giving her as Mother to all of humanity. 4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) The only time Jesus called God “God” instead of “Father.” He was quoting Psalm 22, written by King David 1,000 years earlier. The Church is clear: this was not despair. Psalm 22 begins in suffering but ends in total triumph. Jesus was pointing His listeners to the whole psalm. 5. “I thirst.” (John 19:28) Two words. The Creator of all water, dying of thirst. Catholic teaching holds that His thirst was not only physical but a thirst for souls. Saint Teresa of Calcutta built her entire mission around these two words. 6. “It is finished.” (John 19:30) In Latin: “Consummatum est.” The debt was paid in full. The Old Covenant fulfilled. The sacrifice complete. He bowed His head and died. 7. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) His last breath was a prayer to the Father. He came from the Father. He returned to the Father. He brought us with Him. No greater love has ever been shown.