by Sr. Margaret Mary Magdalene
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St. Philip Neri re-evangelized Rome in seeking personal encounters with the people, engaging in conversations with the people, and assisting the poor.

St. Philip Neri was a Christian missionary and founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, a community of Catholic priests and lay brothers.  He was born in Florence on July 21, 1515, as one of four children of Francesco Neri.  From a very young age, Philip was known for being cheerful and obedient.  He was affectionately referred to as "good little Phil." He received his early teachings from friars at the Dominican monastery in Florence, San Marco.

The Lord himself announced the good news: 
“And he said to them: "Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”  Mark 16:15 CPDV
https://www.bible.com/42/mrk.16.15.cpdv

“And Jesus traveled throughout all of the cities and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every illness and every infirmity. Then, seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them, because they were distressed and were reclining, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples: ‘The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few. Therefore, petition the Lord of the harvest, so that he may send out laborers to his harvest.’”
Matthew 9:35-38 CPDV
https://www.bible.com/42/mat.9.35-38.cpdv


This is our great work, opportunity--holy obligatory duty; to bring the Lord into conversations with those who have not heard or experienced the love of the Lord.  For those who know, we are to give.  

Start with one person; start with one small conversation.  Do it with great joy.  Look at our great examples, the Saints.  Human--just like us--and yet with a zeal to save souls.  They gave all to preach the gospel, to teach the ways of Our Lord.  We as lay people of the church surely can reach out to at least one.

The Last Seven Words of Christ                                                              by Sr. Caterina de Siena

I have been doing a bible study during Lent by  Dr. Edward Sri entitled, No Greater Love (Ascension Press).  This amazing study focus on the Passion of Our Lord and each session is filled with beautiful reflections and insights into what Jesus was experiencing during his last week on earth.  The final lesson is on the Last Seven Words of Christ as he hung on the Cross.

Dr. Sri makes a wonderful suggestion that I want to share with you.  He says, “Think of these seven last words…as personal words spoken to you.  Before Jesus died, he was thinking of you and what you would be going through this year, this month, this day.  He wants to give you a certain message to encourage you, comfort you or challenge you.”

Below are the verses from the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE) which contain the Last Seven Words of Christ.  Prayerfully reflect on each one and envision Jesus before you as he hangs on the Cross.  Which one of these statements does he speak to you and why?  What is your reaction?  Are you comforted, challenged, or convicted by what Jesus is saying to you?  Continue to ponder and pray over these seven statements that Jesus utters during his last moments of life. 

Last Seven Words of Christ

1.Luke 23:34 - Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

2.Luke 23:43 -  “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

3.John 19:26-27 -  When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”  Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

4.Matthew 27:46 -  And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

5.John 19:28 - After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.”

6.John 19:30 - When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
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7.Luke 23:46 - Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.
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I pray that Holy Week will be so much more for you after these meditations.
Image courtesy of Crossroads Initiative
https://www.google.com/search?q=last+seven+words+of+christ&rlz=1C1EODB_enUS720US720&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj44fvPl8HhAhUpVt8KHUESD9MQ_AUIESgE&biw=1904&bih=916#imgrc=KYY4skh20vaKtM: