The Seven Last Words by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is an exploration and explanation of the seven statements made by Christ upon the Cross. Unlike the detailed instructions offered a few years earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, these last few utterances of Christ were brief. But within them, Archbishop Sheen finds wisdom and truth.
Christ's Seven Last Words come from each of the four gospels of Mark, Matthew, John, and Luke. The first, second, and final words appear in Luke. The third, fifth, and sixth appear in John. And the fourth appears in both Matthew and Mark. Archbishop Sheen calls these Last Words a sermon. And indeed, they had everything necessary to create one: "...a pulpit [the cross], an audience [the Pharisees, temple priests, and Roman soldiers], and a truth [the Words of Christ]."
This sermon on Calvary was unlike any other. It was not long-winded or full of fiery prose. But within these short Last Words, Christ again showed us His Mercy and His Love. As Archbishop Sheen says, "There was never a sermon like the Seven Last Words."
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was born in tiny El Paso, Illinois, in 1895. At just eight years old, while serving as an altar boy in Peoria, he dropped and broke a wine cruet on the floor. Bishop John L. Spalding took the boy aside and predicted that he would one day study at the famous Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, and that "someday you will be just as I am."
Archbishop Sheen did go on to study in Leuven, as well as at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and the Pontificium Collegium Internationale Angelicum in Rome. He taught theology and philosophy for many years at Catholic University, and he served as director for the missionary organization Society of the Propagation of Faith.
He was best known for his radio and television programs. Archbishop Sheen spoke on the Sunday radio show The Catholic Hour throughout the 1930s and 1940s. He followed this program with the wildly popular Life is Worth Living television show, which earned him an Emmy for Most Outstanding Television Personality.
In 1951, Bishop Spalding's second prediction came true. Archbishop Sheen was consecrated a bishop that year, and an archbishop in 1969.
Throughout his career in the priesthood, Archbishop Sheen wrote dozens of books and essays on faith, philosophy, and scripture. The Seven Last Words (1933) brings the reader closer to the day of the crucifixion, helping the reader to feel the enormity of Christ's sacrifice and the love that it demonstrates for all mankind.
From His prayer for the forgiveness of His enemies ("Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!") to His kind gift of the Blessed Virgin and His beloved friend John to each other ("Woman, behold they son."), these words are "...caught up by our own poor hearts that must decide, once more, if they will be tempted by the love of that Saviour."
Christ's final words were "Father, into Thy Hands I commend My Spirit." He has turned from the faces of the jeering crowd and to the face of God. His years of toil on earth have ended, just as He knew and planned that they should. As Archbishop Sheen writes, "...His whole substance is wasted among sinners, for He is giving the last drop of His precious blood for the redemption of the world."
Each section of the book ends with a short prayer that reflects the topic of each of the Seven Last Words. While this book is valuable year-round, it is a particularly apt piece to study during Holy Week.