The Seven Words of Jesus on the cross

Below is the text of meditation for Holy Week from ACN Lay Chaplain Errol Palmer.

1. Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Lk 23:34)
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Mt 11:29)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

2. Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise. (Lk 23:43)
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment. (Ps 51:4)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

3. Woman, behold your Son! Behold, your Mother! (Jn 19:26-27)
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”. (Jn 2:5)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

4. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Mk 15:34)
Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (Is 41:10)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

5. I thirst. (Jn 19:28)
And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving … “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Lk 10:39-42)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

6. It is finished. (Jn 19:30)
“When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink … Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Mt 25:31-37; 40-42; 44-46)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

7. “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!” (Lk 23:46)
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. (Ps 37: 5)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.