Sylvia Dains

Without Majesty Sylvia Dains

This is an unusual rendering of the Seven Last Words in that it concentrates more on the humanity of Jesus: in his use of contemporary language, in his expressions of anguish as he begs the Father's mercy, in his triumph over his own human doubting and his final letting go in full trust, turning over his spirit to the infinite Mercy he always knew awaited him. My rationale comes from the Eucharistic prayer that describes him as "one like us in all things but sin". I took that to imply that even Jesus -- God though he was -- could be subject to uncertainty at times, to hurt feelings when friends disappointed him, to times of impatience, anger, loss, frustration and ambivalence.