“…thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”
—Psalm 31:5
Today is Good Friday, the day the Lamb of God died for our sins. Amidst the solemnity of this most sacred day, we reflect on the final word He spoke from the Cross:
Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
—Luke 23:46
Jesus is quoting the fifth verse of Psalm 31, which continues with the glorious statement: Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
Christ speaks in the person of man, whose place He has taken before the judgment seat of God. Man proclaims that God has redeemed him. The story of salvation has come to its climax—the moment of deliverance has come at last! The God Who is faithful has kept His promise and brought redemption to humankind.
The curtain of the temple is rent in two as Christ offers up His spirit, because there is no longer a division between God and man. The Holy of Holies is open to man, because he is clothed with the merits of Christ.
Let’s continue with the next verse in Luke:
Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, and said, “Certainly this man was innocent!”
—Luke 23:47
Or as related by Mark and Matthew: “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39, Matthew 27:54)
Yes, this man is the Son of God, and He is innocent—and because of Him, we too are sons of God, and we too are innocent, freed by the outpouring of the Blood of the Lamb.
Holy Trinity by Jusepe de Ribera
Thank you for joining us for these Fridays of Lent as we contemplated the greatest last words ever spoken. May these words remain engraved in our hearts during this Sacred Triduum, throughout the coming season of Easter, and every day of the year.
Christ’s final word particularly reminds us of the love of God the Father, Who so loved us that He gave us the best gift He had: His only Son. Our Holy Trinity Crucifix beautifully illustrates the Trinitarian nature of the gift of salvation. Christ upon the Cross rests in the arms of the Father, while the Holy Spirit spreads His wings above all. A wonderful meditation for Easter, Pentecost, and Trinity Sunday! Available today at The Catholic Company!
