Reflections on the Seven Last Words in Greenbelt Chapel

[Bernard Fernando]

For the first time in my 67 years as a Christian I sat through the reflections on the Seven Last Words of Christ at the Greenbelt Chapel last Good Friday, April 5, 2012.        Upon the invitation of my inaanak who was one of the lectors I listened to Fr. Loreto Vermundo Miranda, CICM, deliver his reflections from the first to the last of the seven last words of Christ. A theologian with deep insight on the bible, Fr. Miranda explored with us the spiritual implications of Jesus' words as he hung on the cross.        When Jesus uttered, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do" (Luke 6:34), we are confronted with a fundamental challenge; Can we ourselves forgive knowing that others do not know what they do? If we want to imitate Christ our forgiveness must know no bounds. From the first book of the bible, Genesis, we have Joseph the dreamer forgiving his many brothers for the various injustices committed to him. This noble gesture in the old testament found its salvific conclusion in the new testament when Jesus forgave not only a handful of brothers but the whole of mankind!      Only if we change our ways to follow Jesus' Way can their be realization of true forgiveness.        In the second words, "Today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 6:43), we have a promise to a thief hanging beside Him in Calvary. In the book of Genesis, Adam was sent off from paradise for disobeying God's command to not eat fruit from the tree of knowledge. When Jesus assured the good thief of His company after death it was like restoring Adam back to paradise for learning his lessons well. When the thief asked, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 6:42), it was a total acceptance of the kingdom of God and of Jesus as his Savior. He did not ask to be brought to His kingdom but humbly requested only to be remembered. It was like asking for a touch of His cloth and instead being rewarded a full embrace!  Truly, the first shall be the last and the last shall be the first.         Another challenge was propounded by Fr. Miranda based on the third words on the cross addressed to his disciple: "Woman behold your son, (son) this is your mother" (John 19:27). Can you be the the beloved disciple and devoted son? The third words provide the key for meeting the challenge. Mother Mary was herself a faithful disciple of Jesus urging us to "do whatever He tells you" (John 2:5). The Latin derivation of 'obedience', ob audire, means 'to listen'. Obedience to the words of God means we must listen to Him the same way that His mother did.        Perhaps the most perplexing and often misunderstood words on the cross was the fourth; "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? "(Mark 15:34). In his parables Jesus spoke in metaphors and paradoxes. Here we are faced with the seeming paradox of a recriminatory lament where Jesus was quoting the exact words from the Psalm of David. If we read the complete Psalm 22 from the old testament we will find that this lament was but a counterpoint to the complete trust in God by the persecuted and ends in thanksgiving for his rescue. Inevitably, the sacrifice on the cross will lead to mankind's salvation, "and the whole wide world will remember and return to Yahweh" (Psalm 22:27).         The fifth words, "I thirst", is a minefield of countless interpretations as a metaphor. For Fr. Miranda the spiritual thirst of Jesus was a call for holiness. The prevalent call for justice in our present situations on all fronts must be put into biblical context. The court of justice must not make decisions based on the 'rule of law' but more so on the 'rule of moral rightness' for in the bible to be just is to be holy.        "It is finished" (John 19:30), the sixth words as well as the seventh and final words, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit " (Luke 6:46) were, for all intents and purposes, affirmations of the seeming lament of the fourth words as if to say, "Mission Accomplished". Jesus gave his complete trust in his Father and in giving up his spirit on the cross the final paradox was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit for all mankind.        Fr. Miranda's words on the Seven Last Words of Christ was my ultimate Holy Week recollection. It inspires us to face the agony and death of Jesus not only as a vicarious experience during Lent but to elevate that sacrifice into our daily acts of keeping alive the words of Christ. Jesus Christ lived for only 33 years on earth but poured out his Holy Spirit that we may all actualize his teachings and continue his missions here on earth till his kingdom comes. Let us all do our share!

[Niña Lojo]

Hi Bernard,

Many thanks ... it was perhaps the next best thing to being there in the Greenbelt Chapel last Friday.

Father Miranda certainly touched some chords in many hearts!

God bless,

Nina

--
Niña I. Lojo