Trust Jesus

On this Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion and as we enter Holy Week, it is so good to reflect on the account of the crucifixion of Jesus and the words he spoke. Traditionally many reflect on the “Seven Last Words of Christ.” If you look between the four Gospels, you find seven sentences Jesus speaks—three are unique to the Gospel of Luke, three to John, and one to Matthew/Mark.

 

Since this year on Palm Sunday we get the Gospel of Luke, I include what Luke writes:

 

 

Jesus forgives, and prays the Father forgives even as they crucify him. Jesus comforts and rewards the faith of the “good thief” beside him. And in the end, Jesus gives his spirit to the Father. Much could be said for each, but I’ll just tackle a tiny bit on the last sentence “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.”

 

In the end, it is all about trust. The Greek word translated here as “commit” means “to entrust oneself to the care of someone.” Jesus entrusts his spirit into the Father’s hands. But Jesus always did this and always will as the only begotten Son of God. The Son trusts the Father. Period! Sin and death entered the world because of the failure of Adam and Eve to trust God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 397 says, “Man, tempted by the devil, let his trust in his Creator die in his heart and, abusing his freedom, disobeyed God’s command. This is what man’s first sin consisted of. All subsequent sin would be disobedience toward God and lack of trust in his goodness.”

 

We suffer too from distrust of God, especially when we sin. We choose to do it our way instead of trusting God’s way is better, or we cling to worldly things or pleasures not trusting God will provide us with the joy and happiness we really seek.

 

God is good. God gives us everything when He gives us Jesus who also gives us everything—his very life. Why do we still lack trust? Let us pray for a deeper trust.

“Father, I trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you. Holy Spirit, I trust in you."

 

Peace,