"'Father, into your hands I commend my spirit'; and when he had said this he breathed his last" (Lk 23:46). It is so final. It takes place after all has been said and done, seen and suffered, tried and tested, and we have finally moved on. He at last consigns himself utterly to his Father. I cannot help thinking of so many hospital patients who said to me with dejection and defeat in their voices, "You see, Fathers, there's nothing to do now but put it in God's hands." Then, after tears, silence, prayers, and conversation, they would end up saying the same words with a different tone. They would perceive that placing themselves in the Father's hands was the one place of certainty and hope for them. The same words that had been anexpressin of defeat no had become a boast of conquest, giving peace and positivity. In his hands always had been the best place for things to be, but it took this trial to accept this freely. Jesus himself had to learn this. "Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered" (Heb 5:8). Having consigned himself to the Father, he has won the victory over sin and death, and he is here now so that, through him, we can consign all things to the Father and gain Christ's peace.
Reflection based on Luke 22:14-23:56
Father Vincent Nagle, F.S.C.B.
Father, you have withheld nothing from us, but handed over
to us even your own Son. Though we have misused and
abused him, yet let now this sacrifice give us the courage to
abandon ourselves to you through him.
Today's suggested penance: Make a holy hour with your family to pray for the graces of Holy Week.