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

Based on his talks at New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral on Good Friday 2015, the New York Times bestselling author and editor at large of America magazine offers a portrait of Jesus, using his last words on the cross to reveal how deeply he understood our predicaments, what it means to be fully human, and why we can turn to Christ completely, in mind, heart, and soul.

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.

REV. JAMES MARTIN, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, and bestselling author of The Abbey, Jesus: A Pilgrimage, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, and Between Heaven and Mirth. Father Martin has written for many publications, including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and he is a regular commentator in the national and international media. He has appeared on all the major radio and television networks and in venues as diverse as National Public Radio, FOX TV, Comedy Central, the BBC, the History channel, and Vatican Radio. Follow the author on Facebook (FrJamesMartin) and Twitter (@JamesMartinSJ).