The seven sayings form part of a Christian meditation that is often used during Lent, Holy Week and Good Friday.
I. Father forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).
The first saying of Jesus upon the cross was Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness for those who were crucifying him: the Roman soldiers, and apparently for all others who were involved in his crucifixion. This verse appears to reflect Jesus’ teaching of unqualified love and forgiveness for all, including those who might seem to oppose or even attack them.
II. Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43).
Jesus is crucified between two thieves. In Luke’s Gospel, one of them supports Jesus’ innocence and asks him to remember him when he comes into his kingdom. Jesus replies to him using his set formula for important sayings: “Truly, I say to you…”
III. Woman, behold your son: behold your mother (John 19:26-27).
Jesus entrusts Mary, his mother, into the care of a disciple. Traditionally, this is thought to be John the Evangelist, but he is only referred to as the beloved disciple. The Catholic Church interprets this phrase beyond just the disciple, saying that Jesus was giving his mother to all of the church, and consequently all of the church to her. The Catholic Church also uses this saying as a proof that Mary did not have any other children, because if she did have other sons who could have taken care of her, Jesus would not have needed to give her over to his beloved disciple — indeed, had Mary had other sons, such a transfer would have been incredibly insulting to them in the context of 1st-century Jewish culture.
IV. Eli Eli lama sabachthani? (“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?“, Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34).
Some theologians claim the Father seems to have deserted the Son but saves him ultimately and with him those who seek him in all the nations. This “gulf of separation” that occurs between God the Father and God the Son, in the death of the latter, has been described by the theologian Jürgen Moltmann as ‘death in God’.
V. I thirst (John 19:28).
This saying perhaps represents the total humanity of Jesus, and the thirst for God of those who are put far from him.
VI. It is finished (John 19:30).
Jesus announces that his work, atonement, is completed. Sometimes the meaning, ‘the debt is written off’, is read into this verse.This is often seen as a theological statement (that the debt of humanity to God is cancelled, that Jesus had finished his mission).
VII. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46).
This saying is based on Psalm 31:5. Because of this, it is unlikely that ‘my spirit’ refers to a disembodied soul, but simply to one’s self: I put myself in your hands now.
Source: Wikipedia
