The
final words in a dying person’s life always command our respect. In the movie
Cinderella, just before her mother died, she whispered to her daughter her
dying wish, words of wisdom for Ella to live by: ““I want to tell you a
secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer: Have
courage and be kind.” These
are the same words which Jesus while dying on the cross left each one of us:
Have Courage. On that cross,
Jesus cries out: My God, my God why have you forsaken me? I thirst, It is
finished, Father into your hands I commend my spirit.
These
were not words of despair, these words were a prayer of trust in God amidst such
insufferable pain and anguish – a prayer of a brave man.
Be Kind. To his most
loved persons Mary and John: Woman, behold thy son. Son, behold thy mother.
To
the repentant thief: You will be with me.
To
all those who wronged him: Father, forgive them.
A
dying person’s words are so sacred that there is a sense of urgency to fulfill
that wish and tell others about it.
There
is a short story by Franz Kafka - "An Imperial Message". It speaks of
a king who, on his deathbed, calls to his side a subject and whispers a message-
his dying wish for you- into his ear. So important is the message that king
makes the subject repeat it, in turn, into his ear. Then, with a nod, he sends
off this messenger, who sets out on his way to deliver the message to you.
“The
messenger started off at once, a powerful, tireless man. Sticking one arm out
and then another, he makes his way through the crowd. If he runs into
resistance, he points to his breast where there is a sign of the sun. So he
moves forward. But the crowd is so huge gathered all around the palace halls
the distance seemingly infinite. If there were an open field, how he would fly along,
and soon you would hear the marvelous pounding of his fist on your door. But
instead of that, how futile are all his efforts. He is still forcing his way
through the innermost palace. He will never win his way through. And if he did
manage that he would have to fight his way down the steps. Then he would have
to stride through the courtyards, and after that through the second palace
encircling the first. And if he finally did burst through the outermost
door—but that can never, never happen—for in front of him lies the royal
capital city, the centre of the world. No one pushes his way through here,
certainly not with a message from a dead man. But you, you sit at your window
when evening falls and dream it to yourself.”
Remember
this: From his deathbed, Christ confided to his Church his message: "I have said this to you, so that in
me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I
have conquered the world!" (Jn. 16:33). Be brave, have courage.
There
are still many men and women who stand by the window and dream, without knowing
this message. And the only way it will reach them is if we the messengers bring
it to them and let them experience it. And how do we do that? “Be kind to each other. Love one another just as I have loved you.
By this everyone will know that you are my messenger, if you have love for one
another.” (Jn.13:34) Be kind.
Today
as the soldier pierces Jesus’ side and as he breathes forth his last, hear him
whisper to you: “Have courage, be kind.”
Reference:
Cantalamessa, R. (2013). “Justified as a gift through faith in the
blood of Christ.”
Kafka, F. (2009). “An Imperial Message.” https://records.viu.ca/~Johnstoi/kafka/imperialmessage.htm