It is Finished

In the second to last reflection of the seven last sayings of Jesus, we reflect on Jesus fulfilling what the prophets of old have foretold. Jesus accomplished much in his three years of public ministry.

When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (John 19:30-34)

When we look at Jesus on the cross, we see someone who offered himself as a sacrifice to conquer all the sins of the world. While he hung on the cross, Jesus thought of every person who would exist, sinner, follower, and saint alike.

St. Paul reminds us that Jesus was obedient to death, even death on the cross. Before he uttered those words, he fulfilled what the father sent him to do. In his three years of public ministry, he raised the dead, cured the sick, cleanse lepers, and challenge political and religious authorities.

He would also pass on his wisdom and teachings to eleven faithful men who would go out and make disciples. He completed the will of his father. Even his profound prayer the night before he was to die was the testament to how he will fulfill his mission as he ask God to help him do his fathers’ will not his own.

Benedict XVI returned to one of his favorite biblical images, that of Jesus asleep in the boat, an image both troubling and consoling:

“The Lord gave us days of sun and of light breeze, days in which the fishing was good. There were also moments when there were stormy waters and headwinds... as if God was sleeping. But I always knew that God was in that boat, and I always knew that the boat of the Church is not mine, is not ours, but is his and he will not let it sink.”

The late pope wanted to remind us that God is still here despite everything. When the weather changed drastically from hour to hour on Good Friday, God was still present.

Father Raymond De Souza reminds us, “Jesus sleeps now on the Cross. But he sees it all. And while he sleeps, he does not abandon us. He sleeps, but he will awake, and he will say that word that calms the storm which tosses the ship of faith.”

God is with us. No one will stand against us.