# The last seven words of Jesus Christ
*2016-06-19*

> Bill Young leads a meditation on the seven final statements of Jesus on the Cross, drawing from a devotional text and the revelations of Sister Josefina.

## A Devotion to the Precious Words

Today we are doing a special evening podcast on the last seven words of Jesus Christ. I am reading from a prayer book I received in Rome, Italy, back in 2007. This book notes that devotion to the seven precious words of Jesus on the cross is not widely known, although Pope John Paul II strongly recommended that the faithful meditate upon them. Many souls have obtained graces by practicing this devotion.

The reflections I am sharing are drawn from the words of our Lord to Sister Josefina (1890–1923), a humble sister of the Congregation of the Religious of the Sacred Heart in Spain. The Lord asked her in a private revelation to be the apostle of His mercy, encouraging her to meditate upon His Passion. He told her, 'In thy most holy wounds, sinners will find forgiveness and life. My blood will wash away and remove the stain of their sins.'

## Forgiveness and Paradise

The first word is: 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!' They have not truly known Him who is their life, and they heap upon Him all the rage of their hatred. But I beg of you, my Father, pour out on them all the strength of Your mercy.

The second word is: 'Today you will be with me in paradise.' Your faith in the mercy of your Savior has canceled your sins, and it will lead you to eternal life.

## The Gift of Mary and the Cry of Abandonment

The third word is: 'Woman, behold your son... behold your mother.' For you, for whom I have given my life, now you have a mother in whom you can take refuge for all your necessities. I have united all of you to me with a very light bond in giving you my own mother.

The fourth word is: 'My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?' The soul has the right to say to His God, 'Why have you abandoned me?' In fact, when the mystery of the redemption was accomplished, men and women became children of God once more, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, the heirs to eternal life.

## Thirst and Fulfillment

The fifth word is: 'I am thirsty.' Oh, my Father, I am thirsty for Your glory. Now at last the time has come; from this day on, having seen that all my words have been fulfilled, the world will know that You have sent me and You will be glorified. I am thirsty for Your glory, thirsty for souls. In order to find relief for this thirst, I shall shed my blood to the last drop.

The sixth word is: 'It is fulfilled.' The great mystery of love, in which God gave His own Son unto death, is brought to fulfillment in order to restore life to humanity. I came into the world to obey Your will, my Father; it is accomplished.

## The Final Commendation

The seventh and final word is: 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' To You, I offer my soul. Thus, the souls who fulfill my will can truly say, 'All has been consumed. My Lord and my God, receive my soul. I place it in your hands.'

*Meditate on these words and pray for the forgiveness of all sins—those we have committed, the sins of our country, the sins of the world, and the killing of the innocent unborn.*