Seven Last Words: An Invitation to a Deeper Friendship with Jesus

By James Martin and James Martin

Book Overview

Discover how Jesus's final words from the cross reveal a Savior who truly understands every form of human suffering.

In these seven intimate meditations -- adapted from his acclaimed Good Friday reflections at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York -- Jesuit priest and New York Times bestselling author James Martin, SJ, walks readers through Christ's last sayings on the cross, showing how each one speaks directly to a struggle we all recognize: forgiveness, doubt, love, abandonment, pain, disappointment, and surrender. This is Christian spirituality and Bible study at its most accessible and personal -- ideal for Lent, Holy Week, or any season of grief or searching.

This book is for:

Christians preparing for Lent, Good Friday, or Easter who want a short, powerful devotionalAnyone facing grief, doubt, illness, or disappointment and looking for spiritual comfortSmall groups, parish study circles, and individuals drawn to Ignatian spiritualityFans of accessible, warm Catholic and Christian nonfiction

Rooted in careful Gospel scholarship yet written with warmth, humor, and pastoral wisdom, Fr. Martin makes a compelling case that Jesus's suffering wasn't incidental to his mission -- it's the very thing that makes him able to walk with us in ours. Each chapter pairs Scripture, storytelling, and reflection questions, making this ideal for personal prayer, Lenten study, or shared reading.

Readers who loved Martin's own Jesus: A Pilgrimage or Henri Nouwen's The Wounded Healer will find this same blend of scholarly depth and pastoral tenderness -- in a shorter, meditative format perfect for Holy Week.

A moving, faith-deepening read for anyone who has ever felt confused, abandoned, or alone.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062431382
• ISBN13: 9780062431387
• Release Date: February 2016
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

Absolutely Incredible! A must have for any Christian or anyone interested in Christian Theology.

I came across this book at my local library. "Seven Last Words" focuses on the seven final sayings of Jesus Christ while dying on the cross. The author pulls these seven sayings from each of the gospel books and lays them out in chronological order. He then does a deep-dive into the meanings behind these seven phrases in such a way that it really humanizes Christ and shows us that he was not only fully divine but also fully human. It truly is an absolutely incredible book. It's relatively short too. I would suggest this book to literally anyone who is even remotely interested in Christian Theology.