How many times have you felt that God has forsaken you? We all have experienced moments of sadness and anger in our lives. We have felt so alone and thought we had no one to turn to for help. At moments, we did not understand why terrible things happen to good people; the loss of a loved one to a horrible illness, the loss of a child to suicide, the loss of a job, a broken family relationship - so many incomprehensible situations.
This Lenten season feels very different than any other. I completed the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola a few months ago. I have a different perspective on Lent now. Especially when Jesus says, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mathew 27:45-50) A few weeks ago, Becky invited us to consider entering Jesus’ suffering during this Lenten season. I have read and heard those words in the past. This time, it is very different. I am not making it about myself first but looking at how I can serve those around me during Lent.
At the beginning of Lent, I started thinking about what I would work on this year. As part of this season, reflecting and thinking about how we can be more like Jesus is essential. Some questions you might want to ask could be:
* What are the parts of ourselves we need to work on?
* What does it look like for you to walk these forty days in Jesus’s suffering?
* What challenges you to walk with Jesus in his suffering?Jesus was wholly human, and I believe he felt so much loss as he hung on the cross. Those words now resonate so differently for me. He was fully human. He felt emotional, physical, and spiritual pain like you and me. In the past, when I looked at the cross, I felt sadness, and now I look at it, feeling how much Jesus loves us.
Last year, our family suffered a terrible loss. Our sweet aunt passed away after suffering for a few years from a horrible illness. She had made such tremendous progress that we were ready to bring her home. Unfortunately, she passed suddenly. I remembered hearing the news that she had made a turn for the worse. I could not believe it. We all gathered in the hospital room to say goodbye to her. Knowing we would not have her around to call, text, or spend more birthdays or Christmas together was heartbreaking. There was this stillness in the room, quiet tears and sadness. I had never experienced something like that, being in a room with someone I love so much and having to let them go. I realized at the moment what it felt like walking with someone through their suffering. Our family lost someone we loved so very much. The feelings of disbelief, anger, and sadness were heart-wrenching. Why her? It took me time to get to a place where I could look back with acceptance. I know she is with God and no longer going through physical pain. I believe she is now part of the communion of saints looking over us just like she did when she was here.
I keep returning to the words, ‘walking with Jesus in his suffering.’ Jesus was fully human and felt human pain like you and me. “We need to be present to Jesus and continue to have our hearts schooled about what compassion is all about.” Kevin O’Brien, SJ, The Ignatian Adventure.
I invite you to look at those around you, to your family, friends, and strangers:
* How can you be there for them?
* How can you help them bear their cross?
* Can you walk with Jesus’s suffering by walking with others in their pain? Some of our Inner Chapel ministry members have used a phrase, often shared by Becky Eldredge in retreats and talks, that feels right to share with all of you, “I have a corner of your mat.” (Mark 2:1-12) The paralytic man’s friends helped him by holding a corner of his mat to help him get closer to Jesus to be cured. Who’s corner of the mat can you hold this Lent?
Despite his unbearable pain, Jesus knew he would be with God. His faith never wavered. After completing the Spiritual Exercises, I am grateful for learning to have such a different perspective on Lent. I want to feel compassion for the pain Jesus suffered on the cross and those around me going through challenging times.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Going Deeper Together:
- Spend time contemplating the following two scripture passages:
- Matthew 27: 45-50 Jesus on the Cross
- Mark 2: 1-12 Jesus Heals the Paralytic
- Read The Ignatian Adventure by Kevin O’Brien, SJ
- Station to Station: An Ignatian Journey through the Stations of the Cross by Gary Jansen:
- Listen to At the Foot of the Cross by Kathryn Scott.
- Share your thoughts or reactions in the Comments Section. We love to hear from you!
Photo by Christoph Schmid on Unsplash
Elizabeth Aceves
Liz Aceves is a passionate Catholic school educator with a decade of experience teaching Spanish. Her love for working with children and teaching them about their faith and language has been a constant source of inspiration. Liz believes that learning a second language is essential in fostering acceptance and understanding among people of different cultures. Her spiritual journey has been enriched by her discovery of Ignatian Spirituality eight years ago, and she has been an active member of the Inner Chapel community for three years. Liz finds joy in facilitating the Friday Inner Chapel Prayer group, surrounded by inspirational women. As a devoted wife and mother of two teenage boys, Liz enjoys reading historical nonfiction and spiritual books, traveling, and hiking.
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