Holy Week 2020

Reflections on the Seven Last Words from the Cross
In the Bible, the number seven almost always suggests or signals some special religious significance. From the Book of Genesis to the Revelation of St John the Divine, it is used in this way no less than 514 times. Perhaps it is partly in acknowledgement of this that the Gospels record seven occasions when Jesus spoke while hanging on the Cross. Though these “Seven Last Words” do not all appear in any one place, it has long been thought that Christians ought to reflect on them together, especially as part of our devotions for Holy Week.
 
As is only to be expected from someone in the most acute agony, Jesus’ utterances are short, in some cases just a few words. The usual order is roughly chronological.
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1.Luke 23:34: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
2.Luke 23:43: (To the ‘penitent’ thief) Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.
3.John 19:26–27: Woman, behold your son. (To disciples) Behold your mother.
4.Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34: My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
5.John 19:28: I am thirsty.
6.John 19:30: It is finished.
7.Luke 23:46: Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.
 
It is traditional to associate each ‘Word’ with a specific theme. Following the same order these themes are Forgiveness, Salvation, Relationship, Abandonment, Distress, Triumph and Reunion. They provide a helpful focus for reflection, but their generality, as well as their somewhat loose connection with the biblical text, leaves considerable scope for reflection
         In the Epistle for Palm Sunday, St Paul says ‘Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus’. Meditation on the Seven Last Words is a key way of entering more fully into the mind of Jesus as he undergoes the humiliation, suffering and death that is to be the final step in the salvation of the world. Since corporate worship, even in the most holy season of the Church’s year, is impossible at this time, these short reflections on the Seven Last Words will be published day by day through the first part of Holy Week and on Good Friday. They are offered in the hope that together with the accompanying pictures, poems and prayers, they will enable you to apprehend, and embrace, the holy mystery that is the mind of Christ on the Cross.

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CMM blogs for Holy Week
Monday in Holy Week: Seven Last Words, Forgiveness 
Luke 23:34: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Tuesday in Holy Week: Seven Last Words, Salvation
Luke 23:43: (To the ‘penitent’ thief) Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.
Wednesday in Holy Week: Seven Last Words, Relationship
: John 19:26–27: Woman, behold your son. (To disciples) Behold your mother.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Reflection on the Lectionary Readings
Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14  •  Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19  •  1 Corinthians 11:23-26  •  John 13:1-17, 31b-35
GOOD FRIDAY at NOON Seven Last Words
Abandonment: Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34: My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
Distress: John 19:28: I am thirsty.
Triumph: John 19:30: It is finished
Reunion: Luke 23:46: Father, into your hands I commit my spirit
 GOOD FRIDAY LITURGY
Reflection on the Lectionary Readings
Isaiah 52:13-53:12  •  Psalm 22  •  Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9  •  John 18:1-19:42
HOLY SATURDAY
Reflection on the Lectionary Readings
Job 14:1-14 or Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24  •  Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16  •  1 Peter 4:1-8  •  Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42