“Seven Words”
The month of November comes each year with a clear and urgent message that our mother Church reminds us of: “we are strangers and travelers, like all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow” (1 Chr 29:15). We begin the month with the celebration of All Saints (November 1), in which our wishes fly to the heavenly homeland, where we want to enjoy the company of the blessed. Immediately after, All Souls (November 2), we follow the plea that St. Monica made to her son St. Augustine and her family shortly before she died: “One thing only I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be” (St. Augustine, Confessions). As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the readings remind us that, like our lives, the world is coming to an end and that “they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory” (Mk 13:26; 33rd Sunday).
The prayer for the purification of our departed brothers and sisters, especially those close to us, and the remembrance of their lives help us also to responsibly prepare the moment of our departure. Not long ago I listened to a brother priest saying that our preparation for death should follow the pattern of Christ’s last words on the Cross. I don’t remember all the reflections, but I agree that the mediation on those words can provide a good insight for our own departure. These are what the Christian tradition calls his “Seven Words”:
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing” (Lk 23:34): Reconcile with those who are close to you and ask for forgiveness if you have offended anybody.
“Today, you will be with me in paradise” (Lk:23:43): Our life doesn’t end with our earthly death, prepare through prayer, the sacrament of the anointing of the sick and the sacrament of confession for the encounter with the Lord.
“Behold your son: behold your mother” (Jn 19:26- 27). These words addressed to the Virgin Mary and the apostle John have a profound theological meaning as referred to Mary’s motherhood towards the Church, but also reflect the care of a dying son for the wellbeing of his mother. Make sure that your legal matters are taken care of: your will, instructions, power of attorney…
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mk 15:34). Did Christ despair at the moment of dying? Nothing further from the truth. Those are the first words of the psalm 22 which prophesied to a dot the crucifixion of Christ (v 17: “They have pierced my hands and my feet”). St. Mark is telling us that Jesus prayed it on the cross. The psalm concludes with the words: “I will live for the Lord; my descendants will serve you” (v. 31). Make all that is possible to bear witness to all who surround you and provide words of
wisdom about this life and eternal life.
“I thirst” (Jn 19:28): The loss of blood during the Passion made Christ extremely thirsty. There is a medical aspect to our passing. Make sure that your medical dispositions, according to the teachings of the Church, and medical provisions, like a medical power of attorney, are known by your dear ones.
“It is finished” (Jn19:30): Means much more than just an “it is over”. It is a sense of fulfilment: Christ accomplished his mission on earth. Remember that we all have to give an account of our lives to God, and we are called to be holy on earth.
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Lk 23:46): Like Christ make of your death an act of obedience with the Father. Ask God to deliver you from the fear of dying and ask St. Joseph for the grace
of a “holy death”.
