Seven Last Words: An Invitation to a Deeper Friendship with Jesus

by James Martin Narrated by James Martin

Overview

“Spiritually rewarding and uplifting.” - Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York

New York Times*bestselling author and editor at large of*America*magazine Father James Martin reveals how we can turn to Christ completely in mind, heart, and soul. Martin offers a portrait of Jesus, using his last words on the cross to reveal how deeply he understood our predicaments and shows us what it means to be fully human.

Each meditation is dedicated to one of the seven sayings:

• “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
• “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
• “Woman, this is your son”* . . .* “This is your mother.”
• “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
• “I thirst.”
• “It is finished.”
• “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

With the warmth, wisdom, and grace that infuse his works, Father James Martin explains why Jesus's crucifixion and death on the cross is an important teaching moment in the Gospels. Jesus's final statements, words that are deeply cherished by his followers, exemplify the depth of his suffering but also provide a key to his empathy and why we can connect with him so deeply.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

12/14/2015
In this short but powerful work, Reverend Martin explores a portion of scripture often called the seven last words of Jesus. One of the commonly forgotten aspects of Catholicism is its deep meditative tradition, Martin writes. But both saints and scholars have found guidance and solace in the historic worship practices of the church. Taken from a sermon given at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City in April, 2015, the book is broken into seven sections focusing on each “word”—which are actually the last seven “sentences, or phrases, or sayings” Christ spoke on the cross. Although no single gospel contains all seven words, a comprehensive study of the four gospels reveals the seven teachings. Each chapter reflects on how Jesus’ words can help bring God and man closer, humanizing these grand teachings to aid readers with everyday struggles. Fundamental to Martin’s thesis is the idea that a deep appreciation for these profound words can bring happiness and satisfaction. “Jesus’ preaching was meant to bring joy to those who follow him,” he writes. “His words were, after all, good news.” Intended for those interested in liturgy, this transcribed sermon is a breezy, digestible take on the lessons of Christ’s sacrifice. (Feb.)

From the Publisher

This insight alone makes this book worth reading: Jesus endured suffering, so he understands ours. There is nothing more isolating than suffering, everyone’s suffering is largely incommunicable. Thus, in seeking to shoulder the sufferings of others we must pray to be able to hear the muffled cry.” — Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, author of Dead Man Walking

“As I sat in the cathedral on Good Friday, I listened to Father Martin’s reflections on the Lord’s Seven Last Words, grateful for the spiritual renewal he was bringing to the faithful assembled in prayer on this most solemn day of the Church year.” — Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York

“Spiritually rewarding and uplifting.” — Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York

A short but powerful work.” — Publishers Weekly

“An inspiring, spirit-srengthening resource for anyone bearing the weight of their own or another’s suffering. “James Martin’s compassion breathes through this book.” — Joyce Rupp, author of Fly While You Still Have Wings

“Tremendous... very moving.” — The Leaven

“Martin’s book keeps coming back to the central point: Yes, Christians believe Jesus is divine-but, because he also was human, Jesus’s compassion is deeper than we may expect. . . . Readers will walk away feeling hopeful-and feeling a renewed commitment to help others in our world.” — Read the Spirit

“When you struggle in the spiritual life, when you wonder where God is, when you pray in doubt and darkness, and even when you are close to despair, you are praying to someone who is fully human and fully divine, someone who understands you fully.” — America Magazine

“Martin invites the reader to inhabit the gospels; to live out the Passion in the privacy of the mind. He knows how to render the familiar-yet-strange events of Good Friday in such a way that the reader does not so much relate to Jesus’ experience as taste it.” — The Tablet

“Based on a series of reflections he delivered on Good Friday, 2015, in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, Fr. Martin preserves the sense of discursive intimacy with which he conducted the talks, while offering the reader the chance to engage the traditional Lenten exercise of prayerful meditation.” — Vatican Radio

“Father James Martin is one of the most brilliant philosophical minds of our times. His prolific career as a writer has brought to us the insight and awareness of service to others along with the need to incorporate Joy into our lives.” — OM Times

“The renowned Jesuit, James Martin, offers reflections on Christ’s last words and refers to the type of ‘radical forgiveness’ Christ showed on the cross. It is very powerful, but very rare. Yet when we see it, we recognize it, he says.” — Crux

“Wisdom is sprinkled throughout.” — Stuart Dunn

“One of the most important religious voices in the country.” — Religion News Service

Joyce Rupp

An inspiring, spirit-srengthening resource for anyone bearing the weight of their own or another’s suffering. “James Martin’s compassion breathes through this book.

Read the Spirit

Martin’s book keeps coming back to the central point: Yes, Christians believe Jesus is divine-but, because he also was human, Jesus’s compassion is deeper than we may expect. . . . Readers will walk away feeling hopeful-and feeling a renewed commitment to help others in our world.

The Tablet

Martin invites the reader to inhabit the gospels; to live out the Passion in the privacy of the mind. He knows how to render the familiar-yet-strange events of Good Friday in such a way that the reader does not so much relate to Jesus’ experience as taste it.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan

Spiritually rewarding and uplifting.

America Magazine

When you struggle in the spiritual life, when you wonder where God is, when you pray in doubt and darkness, and even when you are close to despair, you are praying to someone who is fully human and fully divine, someone who understands you fully.

Sister Helen Prejean

This insight alone makes this book worth reading: Jesus endured suffering, so he understands ours. There is nothing more isolating than suffering, everyone’s suffering is largely incommunicable. Thus, in seeking to shoulder the sufferings of others we must pray to be able to hear the muffled cry.

Vatican Radio

Based on a series of reflections he delivered on Good Friday, 2015, in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, Fr. Martin preserves the sense of discursive intimacy with which he conducted the talks, while offering the reader the chance to engage the traditional Lenten exercise of prayerful meditation.

The Leaven

Tremendous... very moving.

Stuart Dunn

Wisdom is sprinkled throughout.

Crux

The renowned Jesuit, James Martin, offers reflections on Christ’s last words and refers to the type of ‘radical forgiveness’ Christ showed on the cross. It is very powerful, but very rare. Yet when we see it, we recognize it, he says.

Religion News Service

One of the most important religious voices in the country.

OM Times

Father James Martin is one of the most brilliant philosophical minds of our times. His prolific career as a writer has brought to us the insight and awareness of service to others along with the need to incorporate Joy into our lives.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173524263
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/02/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged

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