Description

 Seven Last Words

Author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything

In his talks at New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Good Friday 2015, the renowned author and editor at large of America magazine, Father James Martin, delves into the profound significance of Jesus’s last words on the cross.

Through these words, Father Martin offers a unique perspective on Jesus’s understanding of our human predicaments, the essence of being fully human, and the profound connection we can have with Christ. Each of the seven sayings is explored in depth, revealing the depth of Jesus’s suffering and his unwavering empathy for humanity.

Father Martin begins by reflecting on Jesus’s plea to his Father, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” This statement highlights Jesus’s immense compassion and forgiveness, even in the face of betrayal and cruelty. The second saying, “Today you will be with me in Paradise,” demonstrates Jesus’s promise of salvation and eternal life to a repentant criminal, showcasing his boundless mercy and love.

The third saying, “Woman, this is your son…This is your mother,” reveals Jesus’s care for his mother, Mary, and his desire for her to be taken care of after his death. This act of entrusting his mother to the care of his disciples exemplifies Jesus’s deep sense of responsibility and love for his family. Father Martin then explores Jesus’s cry of abandonment, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This statement reflects Jesus’s profound sense of isolation and suffering, allowing us to connect with his humanity and find solace in his understanding of our pain.

The remaining sayings, “I thirst,” “It is finished,” and “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” further illuminate Jesus’s journey toward his ultimate sacrifice. These words reveal his physical and spiritual anguish, as well as his complete surrender to the will of his Father. Through his warm and insightful analysis, Father Martin invites readers to reflect on the depth of Jesus’s suffering and the profound connection we can have with him through his last words on the cross.

About The Author

James Martin, SJ is a highly accomplished Jesuit priest who has made significant contributions to the Catholic Church and the field of communication. Born and raised in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, he attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School before pursuing higher education at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. After working in corporate finance at General Electric for several years, Fr. Martin felt a calling to a higher purpose and joined the Society of Jesus in 1988.

Throughout his Jesuit training, Fr. Martin immersed himself in various ministries and experiences that shaped his understanding of spirituality and compassion. He worked tirelessly in a hospital for the seriously ill, a homeless shelter in Boston, and even had the privilege of serving alongside Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Jamaica. His dedication to social justice led him to engage with street gang members in Chicago, provide spiritual guidance to prisoners in Boston, and spend two transformative years working with East African refugees in Nairobi, Kenya through the Jesuit Refugee Service.

In addition to his extensive ministry work, Fr. Martin has made significant contributions as a writer and editor. He has authored and edited over 15 books, with a focus on spirituality and religion. His books, including the widely acclaimed “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything” and “Jesus: A Pilgrimage,” have garnered critical acclaim and reached the New York Times bestseller list. Fr. Martin’s expertise in the field of religion and spirituality has led to numerous media appearances, where he has shared his insights on major networks and contributed to publications such as the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Recognizing his exceptional contributions, Fr. Martin has been honored with over 15 honorary degrees from Catholic colleges and universities. In 2017, Pope Francis appointed him as a consultor to the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communication, a testament to his expertise and dedication to promoting effective communication within the Church. Fr. Martin’s unwavering commitment to his faith, his extensive ministry experiences, and his profound contributions as a writer and communicator make him a highly respected figure within the Catholic community and beyond.

“Martin’s book keeps coming back to the central point: Yes, Christians believe Jesus is divine-but because he also was human, Jesus’s compassion is deeper than we may expect. . . . Readers will walk away feeling hopeful-and feeling a renewed commitment to help others in our world.” — Read the Spirit

“When you struggle in the spiritual life, when you wonder where God is when you pray in doubt and darkness, and even when you are close to despair, you are praying to someone who is fully human and fully divine, someone who understands you fully.” — America Magazine

“Martin invites the reader to inhabit the gospels; to live out the Passion in the privacy of the mind. He knows how to render the familiar-yet-strange events of Good Friday in such a way that the reader does not so much relate to Jesus’ experience as taste it.” — The Tablet

“Based on a series of reflections he delivered on Good Friday, 2015, in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, Fr. Martin preserves the sense of discursive intimacy with which he conducted the talks while offering the reader the chance to engage the traditional Lenten exercise of prayerful meditation.” — Vatican Radio

“A masterful teacher and storyteller.”-Our Sunday Visitor

“Father Martin is a great spiritual teacher.”-Mary Karr, author of Lit

“A terrific storyteller…wise and entertaining.”-The Chicago Tribune

“Martin is one of our most popular spiritual writers-and for good reason.”-Commonweal