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.
1. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
2. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
3. “Woman, behold, your son.” “Behold, your mother.” (John 19:26–27)
4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
5. “I thirst.” (John 19:28)
6. “It is finished.”(John 19:30)
7. “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46)
This year is the Gospel of Matthew, so let’s focus on word four:
4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
On the surface, this seems pretty bleak. Did Jesus really think God his Father had forsaken him? In that moment, surely it felt that way. And Jesus being fully human (and fully divine) in his humanity felt the alienation of taking on our sins. Our sins do separate us from God. God never leaves us, but through sin, we turn our back on God, and lose our sense of intimacy. Surely, Jesus taking on all our sins, feels this for us.
However, there is more to it. This line is a quote. Jesus is quoting the first line of Psalm 22, and it prophesies (written 1000 years before the crucifixion) pretty much exactly what happens to Jesus. Also, it is a psalm that praises God and shows trust in God. So even in this moment where any person would have felt totally abandoned by God, Jesus still praises and trusts His Father, knowing that God does not abandon us. Here is the Psalm 22 with some highlights that show all the connections to the crucifixion:
Psalm 22: My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why so far from my call for help, from my cries of anguish? My God, I call by day, but you do not answer; by night, but I have no relief. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the glory of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted and you rescued them. To you they cried out and they escaped; in you they trusted and were not disappointed. But I am a worm, not a man, scorned by men, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they curl their lips and jeer; they shake their heads at me: “He relied on the Lord—let him deliver him; if he loves him, let him rescue him.” For you drew me forth from the womb, made me safe at my mother’s breasts. Upon you I was thrust from the womb; since my mother bore me you are my God. Do not stay far from me, for trouble is near, and there is no one to help. Many bulls surround me; fierce bulls of Bashan encircle me. They open their mouths against me, lions that rend and roar. Like water my life drains away; all my bones are disjointed. My heart has become like wax, it melts away within me. As dry as a potsherd is my throat; my tongue cleaves to my palate; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs surround me; a pack of evildoers closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and my feet I can count all my bones. They stare at me and gloat; they divide my garments among them; for my clothing they cast lots. But you, Lord, do not stay far off; my strength, come quickly to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the grip of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth, my poor life from the horns of wild bulls. Then I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the assembly I will praise you: “You who fear the Lord, give praise! All descendants of Jacob, give honor; show reverence, all descendants of Israel! For he has not spurned or disdained the misery of this poor wretch, Did not turn away from me, but heard me when I cried out. I will offer praise in the great assembly; my vows I will fulfill before those who fear him. The poor will eat their fill; those who seek the Lord will offer praise. May your hearts enjoy life forever!” All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord; All the families of nations will bow low before him. For kingship belongs to the Lord, the ruler over the nations. All who sleep in the earth will bow low before God; All who have gone down into the dust will kneel in homage. And I will live for the Lord; my descendants will serve you. The generation to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought.
Have a blessed Holy Week!
Peace,
Fr. Greg