Introduction
These reflections guide us through the final words of Jesus on the Cross, revealing a love that endures suffering, forgives enemies, seeks out lost souls, and remains faithful even in abandonment. In each moment of His Passion, Christ shows that His sacrifice is not only for the world, but for each individual soul, inviting us to trust in His mercy, grow in faith through trials, and respond by turning back to Him and helping bring others to His saving love.
Father, Forgive Them
“Father, forgive them. They know not what they are doing.” Jesus has been mocked, scorned, beaten, scourged, spit upon, crowned with thorns, humiliated, and now crucified, and yet His major concern is for the souls of His torturers. Jesus told St. Faustina, “We resemble God most when we forgive our neighbors.” O my God, how could You forgive them, who were so inhumanly cruel to You? Yet somehow, You did. Somehow, I must forgive those who have hurt me.
Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise
“I assure you, this day you will be with Me in paradise.” Jesus, though immersed in His own agony, is still trying to save one more soul, the good thief. Jesus told St. Faustina, “Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity.” He said His mercy is unfathomable. Yet actions speak louder than words, and His actions show that He can forgive the unfathomable. Can we?
Behold Your Mother
Jesus looked down from the Cross and said to His Mother, “Woman, there is your son,” and to John, “There is your mother.” Even in His dying agony, Jesus cared for those whom He loved.
Then He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” He was in such total, abject misery, yet God the Father gave Him no spiritual consolation, as at the Agony in the Garden, when He sent angels to comfort His Son.
At times in their lives, John of the Cross, Mother Teresa, and many of the saints had feelings of such abandonment, though not in such excruciating circumstances.
If Jesus, God made Man, allowed such a test of faith, why do we think that we will be spared? Tests bring greater faith and greater rewards.
I Thirst for Souls
“I thirst.” His thirst is beyond comprehension. Nothing to eat or drink since the Last Supper, incredible tortures, the shedding of blood, excessive sweating due to the incredible heat, and yet mystics tell us that Jesus’ thirst was not merely human thirst, but rather that He thirsted to save more souls. His agony in the Garden was not just because He knew the horrible acts He was to face, but because of the souls who would turn away from Him despite His tremendous sacrifice. Let us help sate Jesus’ thirst for souls by spreading His message of Divine Mercy.
It Is Finished
“Now it is finished.” Jesus suffered like no man before or since to save souls, for the souls gathered here, for you, and for me. He once told St. Catherine of Siena that He would undergo the entire Passion all over again if only to save but one soul. Your soul? Think about that. (PAUSE) Then He cried out, “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.”
What utter, absolute, total annihilation of self. And when the centurion’s sword pierced Jesus’ Heart, only a small amount of Blood and Water remained to gush forth as a fountain of love for us. Let us pray softly.