“It was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured.”
Isaiah 53:4
I used to think that being a faithful Christian, clinging to Christ, would eliminate suffering from my life. That if I lived perfectly and avoided all sin, I would deal with minimal sadness and be shielded from suffering.
As I have grown, however, I have learned life is a bit more complicated. I have also fallen in love with the suffering Christ. He does not often swoop in like a superhero to save us from upcoming destruction. Instead, He stands on the ground with us, embracing and bearing all the pain, all the grief, right along with us.
This can be an uncomfortable thought. Why doesn’t the God of the universe simply reverse-Thanos snap His fingers and help us avoid evil?
Aside from free will, I have no good answers for this. Fr. Ralph D’Elia recently reminded us at St. Jude that “without the cross, there is no resurrection.” But as we come up to venerate the cross on this Good Friday, I do feel an incredible sense of kinship, gratitude, and love for the suffering Messiah who chose to bear my suffering alongside me AND to die for my sin out of boundless love for me. When I spend time sitting quietly at the cross, while I may not find answers to the complicated questions, my soul does find rest and healing, and grows in trust.
“What wondrous love is this, o my soul, o my soul? What wondrous love is this?” Ponder this song today. Venerate a cross, whether at church or in your home.
Jesus, teach me to embrace my crosses, as you embraced my sins.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Sarah Williford
Did you know...
After 10+ years in faith formation and youth ministry, Sarah Williford’s new adventure is rocking the mom life at home with her new daughter and some side hustles. She thrives on a good cup of tea, layered harmonies, quirky comedies, Adoration, and her husband, Ryan. You can catch her at the Saint Jude Moms’ Group on Wednesday mornings.
