Faithful are invited to meditation on the Seven Last Words of Christ

The faithful are invited to a meditation on the seven final phrases uttered by Christ while on the cross. The meditation will take place Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. inside Saint Augustine Cathedral. The rector, Rev. Alan Valencia, invites all to join for this sacred meditation as a way to prepare for the Easter Triduum, “This is part of Holy Week, it helps fill the week with things of God, holy things. Father Valencia said the week’s liturgies begin with the Chrism Mass on Monday, March 30 at 2 p.m. when Bishop James Misko blesses the oils used for the sacramental life of the local church. 

Father Valencia, who is also the Director of Vocations for the diocese, said at the meditation the seminaries in the Diocese of Tucson will share reflections on their vocation to the Church, “The call to the priesthood stems from love from the cross and it grows in the resurrection. The seminaries will be giving a reflection on the call from the cross.” 

The devotional compilation is as follows:
 
1 – Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

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2 – Luke 23:43: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

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3 – John 19:26–27: (To the Blessed Virgin) “Woman, behold, your son!” (To St. John) “Behold, your mother!”

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4 – Matthew 27:46 (and Mark 15:34): “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

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5 – John 19:28: “I thirst.”

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6 – John 19:30: “It is finished.”
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7 – Luke 23:46: “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!”

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Father Valencia said reflecting on the final words reminds us that Jesus Christ calls us out of love but also calls us to love, “The Lord loved those that were good, those that were faithful. The Lord loved those that were struggling and missed the mark, those that crucified him and the Lord loved God and trusted Him in his worst moments. He loved the faithful, good, the bad, and God himself.  He loved all.”

On Wednesday, commonly referred to as Spy Wednesday, the day Judas betrayed Jesus, Father Valencia says is a time to prepare for the days ahead, “We should hold some silence Wednesday to enter the triduum with a good spirit and an open heart.”