PRAYER FROM THE CROSS
BY JOSEPH FRANCIS
As we all know that Friday 2000 years ago that special Friday, our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on Calvary, on a hill on an old rugged cross, today we call it as Good Friday. For Mother Mary, for disciples, for the people who were there it was a sad Friday because they witnessed, how our Lord Jesus Christ was condemned as a criminal on the cross. He was alone in extreme pain. The crown of thorns torments his head. Blood runs over his eyes. Rough Iron nails pierce his hands and feet. And at these bitter movements, Jesus speaks seven costly words from the cross and he tells us how to forgive, how to love, how to embrace life in the midst of trial and death.
The Seven Last Words are collectively found in Mathew, Luke, Mark and John. No one gospel contains all seven. They have been organized traditionally for preaching devotion in a order.
1) "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
2) "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:43
3) "Woman here is your son." Then he said to the disciple "Here is your mother." John 19:26-27
4) "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?" Mathew 27:46, Mark 15:34
5) "I am thirsty." John 19:28
6) "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Luke 23:46
7) "It is finished." John 19:30
Jesus looks from the cross to the crowd and today Jesus looks to our heart which is like a stone and also in darkness and tells
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they doing". Luke 23:34
Jesus suffered on that old rugged cross which was stained with blood, to save us, to sanctify us, to pardon us, and to make us holy like him.
There is a classic legend that when Mary and Joseph fled into Egypt with the child Jesus, they rested at a road side inn. Mary asked the hostess for water to bathe Jesus. The hostess then requested if she could bathe her own child, who was suffering from leprosy, in the same water in which Jesus was immersed. The sick infant, upon touching the water, was instantly healed of disease.
The legend continues that this cured child grew in strength and became a clever thief. He is the criminal, traditionally referred to as Dismas and called the Good Thief, who hangs on his own cross to the right of Jesus
Dismas teach us how to pray at the last minute, in the midst of difficulty, even in the face of death. The thief, ready for conversion, calls out in friendship to Jesus. He creates as inspiring, brief prayer: -
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom". Jesus replied "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise".
We have being baptized in the name of Jesus. Our God is a merciful God. He is a compassionate God, He is a loving God. Knowingly or unknowingly we have sinned. Let us be ready for conversion and ask Jesus "Jesus remember me when you cone into your kingdom". Immediately Jesus will reply My Son, My daughter "Truly I tell, you today you will be with me in paradise."
Yes dear bother's and sister's the paradise is ours. As we all know that Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again. This is referred to as the mystery of faith and it is our faith. Let us not fail to recognize Jesus in our day to day life. He is always present in our Community, in the Bible, and in the beauty of the nature. Let us all come together, roll back the Good Friday burial stone. And walk with one another as companions in the freedom of the radiance of Easter to worship our living God.
