“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”
“What are we to make of these extraordinary words?
There are two main ways of understanding these words which Jesus quotes from Psalm 22. The first possibility is that Jesus’ words are not an expression of abandonment, but, paradoxically, an expression of hope in God…
But there is another possibility: Jesus really DID feel abandoned… It is not unreasonable to imagine Jesus, in this grave hour, FEELING as if the Father were absent. …The one who abandoned himself to the Father’s will in the garden of Gethsemane the night before, who had given himself entirely to what the Father had in store for Him, now wonders on the cross: “Where are You?”
Jesus does not despair. He is still in a relationship with Abba – calling on Him from the cross. In the midst of horrific pain, abandoned by all but a few of His friends, and facing His imminent death, when it would be almost impossible for anyone to think lucidly, He might have felt abandoned.
So Jesus understands…not only our bodily sufferings, but also our spiritual sufferings in these feelings of abandonment. He was like us in all things but sin. And He experienced all we do.
So, when you struggle in the spiritual life, when you wonder where God is, when you pray in doubt and darkness, and even when you are close to despair, you are praying to someone who understands you fully…”
This quote, from Fr. James Martin’s book: Seven Last Words seemed appropriate as we begin this holiest week in the church’s calendar. The challenge of Holy Week is to make the journey with Jesus, not as spectators, but as participants. Again, The schedule for our common prayer is as follows:
Morning Prayer – Thur-Fri-Sat – 8am
Holy Thursday
7:00 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Adoration begins after Mass
11:30 p.m. Night Prayer
Good Friday 7:00 pm: The Lord’s Passion
Holy Saturday 8:00 pm: The Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday
8:00 a.m. Mass
11:00 a.m. Mass
Finally, in your kindness, pray for Kyle Cronan who is making his profession of faith into the Catholic church, as well as Jennifer O’Neill who is being confirmed and receiving first communion, and Janelle Miller who is being confirmed, all at the Easter Vigil. And on Easter Sunday morning, join us in welcoming Charli Niemczyk who is being baptized, and who will join her class at first communion two weeks later.