Sunday, the Fifth Week of Lent

   During this season we reflect on the physical suffering our sins caused Jesus.  But how many of us consider the emotional suffering He endured?  We rightfully contemplate His scourging, the carrying of the cross and His crucifixion.  And so we should.  However, we need to also consider the emotional suffering He endured. 

   When one of our family suffers we also suffer in many ways.  Anyone who has experienced a serious illness in their family can relate to the fact that physical suffering to one of our loved ones causes us to suffer emotionally.  We would do most anything to help our spouse, son or daughter feel better; up to and including accepting their pain in order to relieve them.  The fact that we can’t help as we wish causes us great emotional suffering.

   The loss of a spouse or a child is an emotional pain so intense that it may seem to be physical.  In fact there is perhaps no physical pain which can cause the suffering one feels in such a situation.  We have all experienced emotional pain; some much greater than others.  Our friends and family many times share our suffering as well.  This is the same emotional pain suffered by our Lord.

   As true man Jesus shared the emotional suffering we all encounter.  He knew the loss of His foster father, Joseph.  He shared the pain of Martha and Mary over the death of Lazarus.  “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35).  Just as we weep at the loss of a dear friend or family member, Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus.  He knew the rejection of those He had come to save.  He knew betrayal at the hands of Judas.  He suffered the desertion of His disciples when He was arrested.

   He shared in our sufferings; should we not share in His?  When we suffer in this life we need to remember that Jesus told us this would happen.  If we are to follow Him we must pick up our cross, whatever it may be, and carry it.  People always ask why God allows suffering.  That is the wrong question.  The question is why do we not accept our suffering as Jesus accepted His?  I don't believe we will have the answer in this life but only in the next.  Through joining our suffering with that of our Lord perhaps we can begin to understand our suffering.