Reflection

What is your cross? What is the anguish that you feel as you look on a vulnerable Jesus? As you sit in the Garden of Olives, what is your desolation, your loneliness. Jesus is there for you. What do you want to say as he watches with you?

And then listen to our loving God: "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Mt.11:28) Now is the time to stir up the faith that you have. Jesus teaches you that life is not bed of roses. Sometimes it is an agonizing process. Thank God for the example you have received in today's meditation; and pray for the grace to recognize the value of prayer in your time of deep sorrow.

Now, put your thoughts aside. You have reflected well. Listen to the Lord deep in your heart. He wants you to believe in his love and care. When you are ready, you may use the following prayer:

Concluding Prayer

Dear Lord,
I am indeed hurting badly.
I have been trying to deny my loss.
I have been trying to hide, to escape.
I was throwing myself against you
and refusing to recognize
that you love and care for me.
I forgot that sufferings come
not because you want them,
but because, until the kingdom comes,
we live in an imperfect world and imperfect bodies.
O Jesus, help me to find
where God is in my turmoil.

Recommended Reading

Scripture

Links

• Romans 8:18
• Psalms: 3,6,16,28,31,139

• Denis Edwards, Human Experience of God
• Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation
• Thelma Hall, Too Deep For Words
• Joyce Rupp, Your Sorrow is My Sorrow

• The Hound of Heaven
  by Francis Thompson
• Part IV Christian Prayer , Catechism of the Catholic Church
• The Passion of Jesus Christ
  by Donald Senior, C.P.

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