The fourth spear was His sorrowful voice on the cross with which He cried out to the Father, saying: ‘O Father, why have you abandoned me?’” (Saint Brigid of Sweden, Book 1, Chapter 87).
Though I have been reflecting and writing about the first three spears that pierced the heart of the Blessed Virgin as revealed to Saint Brigid of Sweden and recorded in Book 1, Chapter 87 of the revelations of Saint Brigid, I have found I must continue to the end. And so today, I reflect on the fourth spear….
Our Lady told Saint Brigid that “The fourth spear was His sorrowful voice on the cross with which He cried out to the Father, saying: ‘O Father, why have you abandoned me?’ It was as if He wanted to say: ‘O Father, there is no one who pities Me but You.’”
And I have been reflecting on those words of Christ on the Cross and why they caused such great suffering for the Blessed Virgin. For she – who is perfect and therefore does not exaggerate – told Saint Brigid that the pain caused by those words was so great that a fourth spear pierced her heart…
When I was a little girl I wondered very often why Christ said those particular words on the Cross. After all, death by crucifixion is caused by asphyxiation. In other words when a person is crucified they suffocate to death – slowly – because they become exhausted (over time) and are unable to lift their body up on their pierced feet to draw a breath. It was in fact for this reason that Pilate ordered the legs of the thieves who were crucified on either side of Christ to be broken. Because once their legs were broken they would die more quickly and therefore would not be a problem for those who wished to prepare for the Passover Feast.
And when I consider those words they seem like an accusation to God. And then – I discovered that they are not an accusation at all. In fact, those words are actually a prayer. Christ was reciting Psalm 22, which begins with the words, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art Thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” (Psalm 22:1) and ends with the words, “A seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this.” (Psalm 22:30-31).
In other words, the Psalm begins by describing suffering (using Christ’s words on the Cross) and ends with His victory over death where “they shall declare His righteousness…”.
So, what does this mean? And why did this cause such pain to the Blessed Virgin?
Well, it caused her pain because she – being united so perfectly to the Holy Will of God – understood that sacrifice that Christ was making for all the sins of the world. She understood not only the cost but also the benefit. And she understood it in a way that was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Because the Blessed Virgin perfectly receives the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which include Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding.
And so, that fourth spear is driven home by my sins. For the Blessed Virgin understood the loneliness of Christ on the Cross. For that was the moment in ALL time (since the beginning of time) that the Holy Trinity have not been united. And Christ – even despite this utter isolation on the Cross – still called out in prayer to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Because He knew their pain at the witness of such a sacrifice, and He wished to remind them of the FRUITS of His SUFFERING.
And I wish I had the words to explain what sorrow I bear in my heart to know the Sacred Suffering of my Beloved. For He suffered and died alone – without the Father or the Holy Trinity – for the first and only time EVER. And despite this terrible suffering – not only His physical suffering but His terrible heartbreak and loneliness – still He called out to REMIND the Blessed Trinity what it was all for.
And I wish I had the words to explain my sorrow in understanding that it was all for me. Just miserable little unworthy worthless me…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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