The Lord Jesus to Sister Josefa Menéndez
on Good Friday, March 30, 1923
This is the hour of the world’s redemption! They will lift me up from the earth and display me to the scorn of the crowd, but also to the admiration of souls!
The world has received peace. The cross, which was until now an instrument of torture, on which criminals died, becomes the object of deepest respect.
From my holy wounds, sinners will draw forgiveness and life. My blood will wash away and cleanse all their stains.
From my holy wounds, pure souls will come to be nourished and kindled with love. They will flee to them and make their dwelling there forever.
The world has received a Redeemer and to chosen souls, an example to follow.
These hands are yours to hold you, and these feet to accompany you and never leave you alone.
Write down everything you see.
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing
No, they did not recognize the one who is their Life. They poured all the fury of their wrongdoings upon him. But I ask you, my Father, pour upon them all the strength of your mercy!
Today you will be with me in paradise
For your faith in the mercy of your Savior has smoothed over all your sins and will bring you to eternal life.
Woman, behold your son
My mother, behold my brothers, take care of them, love them. You are no longer alone, you for whom I gave my life! You now have a mother to whom you can flee in all your needs.
My God, why have you forsaken me
Yes, from now on my soul has the right to say to its God: “Why have you forsaken me,” because upon the completion of redemption, man has become a child of God, a brother of Jesus Christ, a heir of eternal life.
I thirst
My Father, I thirst for your glory. Behold, the hour has come. From now on, when the world sees the fulfillment of my words, it will know that you sent me, and you will be glorified.
I thirst for souls, and to quench this thirst, I poured out my blood to the last drop. Therefore, I can say:
It is finished
Now the great mystery of love is completed, in which God gives his own Son to death to give life to man.
I came into the world to do your will; my Father, it is fulfilled.
Into your hands I entrust my spirit
And I commend my spirit to you.
Then truly, souls who have fulfilled my will will be able to say: “It is finished! My Lord and my God, receive my soul; I entrust it into your hands.”
(Excerpts from “A Call to Love”, Sister Josefa Menéndez,
Apostolate of Prayer, Toulouse 1966, pp. 220–223.
Translated by P. Metoděj Minařík, O.Carm. Sister Josefa lived from 1890 to 1923.)
