In Adrienne von Speyr's The Cross: Word and Sacrament , von Speyr links each of Christ's seven last words to one of the Seven Sacraments; positing that each "word" is a blessing from the Cross upon that sacrament, a commentary, and above all an intimate connection between the Paschal and Sacramental Mysteries. "If the Lord's words are all a piece of his life, and if he surrenders his life on the Cross for His Church, it follows that the Lord's words from the Cross are closely knit to, parallel to, the sacraments, those vessels of the life of the divine grace which overflows from the Cross into the Church." The links are as follows: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do - Penance You will be with me this day in Paradise - Anointing of the Sick Behold your son, Behold your mother - Marriage My God, My God! Why have you forsaken me - Holy Orders I thirst - Eucharist It is finished - Baptism Into your hands, Lord, I commend m...
a pilgrim's regress