Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Jesus’ first word from the cross is a word of mercy and love. These first words which Jesus prayed from the cross were not the words the assembled crowd of priests, Pharisees, curiosity seekers and soldiers expected to hear. According to different recorded accounts of other crucifixions, the person either cursed the day he was born, cursed the executioners and those who were spectators or proclaim innocence.  But Jesus is different. Jesus doesn’t ask for pardon for he is sinless. Instead, he gives pardon, even though those who were responsible for his death did not ask pardon, thinking they did what was righteous. He excuses those who were the perpetrators and those out of duty carried out the sentence of death. Jesus doesn’t attest to his innocence but attests to the ignorance of those bent on his destruction.

St. Aelrad once said: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. They are great sinners, yes, but they have little judgment; therefore, Father, forgive them. They are nailing me to the cross, but they do not know who it is that they are nailing to the cross: if they had known, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory; therefore, Father, forgive them. They think it is a lawbreaker, an impostor claiming to be God, a seducer of the people. I have hidden my face from them, and they do not recognize my glory; therefore, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."