27/03/2026
The Seven Last Sayings of Jesus !
As our Lord Jesus Christ hung on the cross, he uttered seven last sayings or phrases. These sayings are powerfully evocative to anyone contemplating Jesus’ passion and death. They continue to inspire many homilies and reflections from a tradition begun in the 17th century by a Jesuit priest in Peru. He developed a service of meditations for Good Friday based on the last words of Jesus, and the devotion spread around the world. Jesus’ last words, as recorded in the Gospels, became part of the Church’s Lenten tradition. They have also inspired many musical compositions and settings, notably by Haydn, Gounod, Franck and MacMillan.The way that Jesus’ sufferings helped him to understand us, is reflected on by the Church, particularly during this season. The person to whom we pray, the man we choose to follow, the one who is risen from the dead, understands us not only because he lived a human life, but one that, in his final week, was filled with pain and suffering. His deepest hope was to bring about the conversion of Israel, that the reign of God might become real on earth. In his pain and suffering, in the face of a barbaric death, Jesus’ seven last words today give us strength and grace throughout our own lives. His unconditional love, entirely given to save us, is one of the most profound mysteries of our faith. Amen !
Regard : Pastor Anil Masih
