"Sufferings are an essential entry for us into the life of Jesus. For those who think Jesus as far removed from the suffering we face, the Gospels show us not simply physical sufferings, but emotional ones as well. We do not, as St. Paul said, have a God who does not understand our suffering, but who participated in it. This is an entry for us into Jesus's life and an entry for him into ours.
Yet even in the midst of this suffering - physical pain, abandonment, betrayal, seeing others suffer, and then seeing one's great project collapse - Jesus did not waver. It must have been an enormous temptation to vacillate in the face of this mountain of suffering. But out of obedience to what the Father is asking, he does not.
Jesus has done as much as he could. It is finished. Now, into his Father's hands he commends his spirit. He commends his body. He commends everything.
After all the temptations to turn away from the path that the Father was asking him to follow, and even in the face of his intense physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering, Jesus is resolute. Like his mother at the Annunciation, he says - perhaps not knowing fully what it will mean - yes."
Taken from Jesus, A Pilgrimage by James Martin S.J. page 392
No comments:
Post a Comment