The past 20 years of 24/7 news and Hollywood and the rise of the everyday use of the internet has brought a lot of love to the Catholic Church and, unfortunately, a lot of hate and misunderstanding. I am not here today to dispute any of the incidences that garner the good and the bad attention.
I'm just here to say that 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ was hanging on a cross. In his final moments of pain, agony and torture, He looked down from that cross and said
"woman, behold your son" John 19:26
The larger than life gift that Jesus gave us that first Good Friday was: eternal life in heaven. It was so obvious in the physical torture that He endured!
The larger than life sharing that Jesus did on that first Good Friday was: His Mother became a Mother to us. It is so obvious in the words He uses!
Our life can be murky, confusing and painful at times. So can Lent. John and Mary were together, Christ calls that to our attention in his final words. Standing at the foot of the cross and watching the intense suffering finally come to an agonizing culmination, I would think they had feelings of anguish and sorrow in their hearts, too. They were mixed in with their faith, hope and love. But, the two of them were together.
This Lent, you might feel alone and you may have some of those same mixed feelings. Maybe they stem from a painful experience within the church. Maybe they stem from a painful past Lenten journey. Maybe they stem from a familial experience. Maybe you have a physical pain that you have been dealing with your whole life or even a new diagnosis to understand. Whatever it may be, if the seeds of bitterness and pain settle deep in your hearts, the only thing that might grow is a choking weed. Which could drive others away, leaving us alone.
I don't think that is what Christ had in mind when he was suffering and hanging on the cross and he said "woman, behold your son." Could it be that He knew that life would be hard for us (not as hard as hanging on the cross) but challenging and exhausting and confusing at times. He knew that evil still existed. He wanted us to know that it would be good to find someone to lean on, it would be good of us to give of ourselves to each other in times of pain. Like I tell my kids....Two is better than one, always have a buddy with you! And they laugh and respond, "yes, a partner in crime!" : ) Importantly, He also wanted us to know that there would be good times, too.
In this life, we may have some special people who are there for us, physically present. For me personally, there is my husband. Living with me has been cause for his own canonization someday :) and I have three friends that have come in and out of my life as the years have gone by us. Usually, if I just say one word to them, they will be there for me .....and hopefully, I have done the same, in return! : ) For my one friend, it is anything that has to do with raising my children. For my two other friends, they know why I am always afraid to say Good Bye to people. Mostly they just listen, knowing that sharing memories helps me with the sorrow of separation. They are the closest thing that I have to two people I love but never had that chance to say Good Bye to.They just listen. What a gift all four of them are to me.
But for those times when we don't have someone there to share a moment of pain or sorrow with us, we have the blessed gift of Mary, Our Mother. In our darkest hours, we only need to call on her in prayer and she is sending Christ's army our way. We just need to say one word and she is there.
See, She and John came to the foot of the cross, together. Hard times do not need to push us completely over, they may cause us to lean though. Jesus knew that. So, Behold! He gave us His Mother.
Also, she and John came with Faith, Hope and Love alive in their hearts. Perhaps, those were tiny seeds when Christ first entered their lives. However, by the time they came to witness Christ's death before their own eyes, those seeds had grown into a strong, beautiful garden filled with Faith, Hope and Love flowers. That first Good Friday was perhaps the stormiest day in their heart/soul garden. Gardens need water and wind to survive as the roots are fed and the dirt or weeds are washed away. Yes, the hard times go straight to our roots! They soak us, they wash us, they search out and look for anything that may be still choking us. Suffering can lead to celebration, and it may not even be the things we thought we need or want for celebrating ( but that's a whole other topic of discussion, yes?)
Let the sorrow happen while you Lean on Love. Lean on the ones who love you and Let Mary, Our Mother be there for you. And when it is over, when the storm has passed, there you will be. Beautiful! Blooming! Fragrant and Glistening!
Let Lent work on the heart/soul Garden.
Lean on Mary, Our Mother, whom Christ shared with us! Lean on the ones who love you or let those loved ones lean on you! ( and ask Mary to help you be strong for them).
Let this Easter be a beautiful celebration of Christ's resurrection and your strong and beautiful soul!
I only know this because I tried to singularly survive life's storms and there was no Easter, there was no joy, there was no celebration. I am not perfect, I am only human
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