"I thirst"

Thirst was the most agonizing and dreadful torture of the crucified. Physicians who have studied this subject all agree that exposed wounds together with an excessive nervous and muscular tension invariably bring on intense high fever.

The poor victims of crucifixion all suffered a terrible thirst which made them cry out for the merciful coolness of water. In one of His last utterances, Jesus has revealed the torture which this intolerable thirst has caused Him.

It is written that in his thirst men will give Him vinegar to drink, but it is also written that “He will rule from sea to sea, and from river unto the ends of the earth. Before Him the Ethiopians will fall down; and His enemies shall lick the ground. The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer the presents ….all nations shall serve Him.”

The thirst or eagerness of the Church to diffuse her life is the same as that experienced by her Founder.

“Lord Jesus, I want to quench your thirst, by following in your footsteps and abiding by living your teachings.”

"It is finished"

“It is consummated”.  Poignant and excruciating was the baptism of blood which He had desired so eagerly, and though He had tread the winepress alone, He now came forth “from Edom, with dyed garments and from Bosra, walking in the greatness of His strength.” (Isaias 63:1)

The commentary of the above is given by Jesus Himself when He cried out: “It is consummated”.

“Greater love than this no man has, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) So sure was He of the success of His supreme lesson that He was able to prophecy: “When I shall be lifted up from earth, I will draw all things to myself.”

With the death of Jesus, all is ‘consummated’ and ‘perfected’.

"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"

From the Cross, Jesus reconciles us to the Father, and now He sanctifies us by sending His Holy Spirit and working in us as a vivifying Spirit Himself.

This is the reason why the commemoration of Good Friday acquires a species of festive resonance in all hearts despite the note of mourning in the Church Liturgy.

Christ severed the bonds of the tomb, not for Himself only, but also for all those who believe in Him and His Kingdom.

The defeat of death is not less decisive, although it is more gradual and slow. Death is not only solitary, physical separation of the body and soul, but also the privation of the supernatural life of grace.

Death, in every sense of the grim word, physical death and eternal death, has been annihilated by the Cross.

Let the torture, blood-stained  figure of Jesus Christ remain engraved forever in our mind, our heart and soul, and serve as a meditation through out our whole life. Amen.

Quotations from ‘He reigns from the Cross’ by Francisco Jose Gonzalez, S.J.