"It is finished.." (Jn 19,30)

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.



(Jn 19,30)


===


Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" was one of the most difficult movies I had to watch. During the movie, I somehow wanted to close my eyes for I couldn't stand seeing a man suffering under such pain. After having watched it, I asked myself, "Was that really just a movie of a man suffering or was it a movie of a man suffering because of me? And hey, that was no ordinary man; it was Jesus, my Lord and my Savior!"


One of the movie's focused scenes was during His crucifixion where He had spoken the Seven Last Words. After receiving the drink, He said, "It is finished." This was actually his sixth word.

“It is finished. Father into your hands I commend my spirit”


When Jesus said "It is finished," surely he was expressing relief that his suffering was over. But the Greek Word "Tetelestai" means more than just that. Eugene Peterson captured the full sense of the verb in the message: It was more of saying, "It's done...complete." Jesus accomplished His mission, one of sufferings and sacrifices for everybody’s benefit.


His life is one of sufferings. His preaching of the Kingdom of God bore him many hardships from the people who listened to him. His miracles were criticized by the elders of the Jews. His every move was put into negative connotations, until such time that they were able to ‘put him into silence’ through death on the cross. But upon his death, he declared that his mission came into being, it is accomplished, and it is finished.


The life of Christ, of which he said was finished, is a life of suffering. And yet we seek joy and rest? His early life of proclaiming God’s mercy and compassion brought Him to death – death on a Cross. The pain under the hands of His persecutor is really intolerable. Dust and His very own blood covered His human body while humiliation and blasphemies stabbed His heart. What word can express this corporal and emotional suffering that this Man felt? These are sufferings brought by the hands of His friends and people whom He healed. What are you going to do if someone slaps you or curse you with no reason at all?


We can see at the garden of Gethsemane the very own words of Jesus: "Mi Pater si possibile est transeat a me calix iste verumtamen non sicut ego volo sed sicut tu." (My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt). This is a proof that He already knows what will happen, yet, despite of fear He submitted Himself to the will of His heavenly Father.

When was the last time that I uttered this word? How many times did I escape to confide myself to Him because of the fear of being humiliated?


What is your answer if one day someone asks you, who killed Jesus? “It is the high priest who put Him to death.” “It is Pilate who sentenced Him to die on the cross.” Alas! Isn’t it more appropriate to a Christian soul to answer “It was my sins that condemned Him to death. My ungratefulness! My Indifference! My Selfishness!”


How dull are we to think that Christ’ blood is enough for our salvation?! Christ did His part to open the eternal garden of heaven, but how about our part? Man is continuing in committing sin, and yet we say that Christ suffering is finished? Partly, indeed, Christ’s mortal suffering on the Cross is done, but His agony and pain towards us, His sons and daughters, is not yet over.


When are we going to go and nail our hearts into the foot of His Cross as the victim of His love to console and share with His suffering? Do we belong to those nails and thorns which continuously stab and penetrate to His heart?


We often call Him “My Lord”, but we are not good servant and fulfilling our duties. Sometimes, we categorize Him as “our Light”, but we choose to stay in darkness. And frequently, “Father,” but we are not obeying His will. How and when are we going to fulfill these truths that we always forget and neglect?

Maybe it is difficult for us to know Jesus, but Mary is there to assist us. She that from Her womb to the tomb accompanied Him and stayed as His faithful servant. It is great to think that His mother is there to assist us going to His journey. She is a Mother who never leaves and never despises whoever you may be.


It is hard to state that Christ’s suffering is finished because of the world who is continuously sinning! But as long as there is a brave man like you who is willing to partake to His suffering, maybe it can ease the worries and can serve as hope for the conversion of the world so that we can really hear the word “Consummatum est” for in that time He is reigning and governing us eternally.

****

Prayer


If you had to take away my voice and I could no longer sing. If I no longer had the words to say anything. And if you had to take away all the music from my ears and I no longer hear the songs of the earth.


If this is what you want to do so that I would be close to you. I will praise you in the silence. I give everything up for I want nothing to stand between our love.

If you had to take away my sight and I no longer see the beauty of the sunrise or the eyes of the child but the brightness of the night nor the color of the skies and the morning light.


If this is what you want to do so that I could be close to you I will praise you in the darkness I give everything up for I want nothing to stand between our love.


And if you had to take away my name and I no longer knew who I am, how I was and how I changed if you took away my breath and the beating of my heart, if you took away my destiny, if you took away my will apart.


If this is what you want to do so that I could be close to you I will praise you in the brokenness I give everything up for I want nothing to stand between our love.


(Give and take song)


Oh Lord my sins displease you. When would I change and start to nail my heart in to your cross? You fall many times going to the Calvary not because of the weight of the cross but because of my sins. Help me to love and honor You. Help me to deny myself and empty my mind so that I may think of your glorification.


Oh Mary my Queen and my mother, assist me in this journey towards eternity. May your Holy Ghost enflame our hearts and keep it burning for the love of Thee.


We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Reflection by: (featured on 100% Katolikong Pinoy's web page as part of "The Seven Last Words" KP Special; April 22, 2011, 8am)

Kevin Quiambao and Celine Laroza


Happy Easter!