Jesus' last words on the cross are a shout of triumphant faith. The earlier cry of abandonment has now given way to a declaration of supreme confidence in God. In Matthew's account especially, we find evidence that these last words were less the last gasp of a Victim than the trumpet of a victorious Warrior King preparing to return home from battle. Anne Catherine's vision focuses on this militant aspect of Our Lord's death. The earth trembles beneath her Lord's advance, the saints of old are released from prison, and the ancient Enemy is at last utterly overthrown.

Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!" And having said this, He breathed His last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, and said, "Certainly this man was innocent!" And all the multitudes who assembled to see the sight, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. - Luke 23:46-48

With excerpts from:

• The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich (https://bit.ly/3kaeP6l)
• The Mystical City of God by Ven. Mary of Agreda (https://bit.ly/3IhySaO)

GET THE BOOK - The Passion: Reflections on the Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ by Paul Thigpen (https://bit.ly/3IiSNpM)