The Path of Suffering

The following reflection on Holy Week is the gift of Jim O'Neill, chair of the religion department at Central Catholic. Thank you Jim.
Bro. Rene

Holy Week reminds us of Jesus' passion and the challenging message that the road to holiness or wholeness in life often passes through the path of suffering.
There is a line in the movie, Amish Grace, about ten Amish girls who were shot by a man in their one room schoolhouse: "It is only when our lives are falling apart that we can make our faith real." I think it is because when you are stripped naked like Jesus on the cross with outstretched arms you must fully rely on God. You realize that is when God is closest to you incarnated through the love of family and friends. I have found myself becoming a more loving, forgiving, and compassionate human being through the unwanted gift of suffering.
We should pray at the end of this Lent to stuggle even more with the mystery of suffering. We should ask ourselves this question: Who are the family and friends who have walked with us, like Mary, during our way of the cross?
Jim O'Neill