Good Will Prevail 

   Today’s gospel reading at Mass was Luke’s account of the Passion and death of our Lord (Luke 22: 14 – 23: 56).  A very long reading full of evil acts against our Lord and Savior.

   In this reading we find the betrayal of Judas, the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His appearance before the religious leaders of Israel.

   We read of Peter denying that he even knew Jesus three times before the rooster crowed, as foretold by Jesus.  He then went out and wept in sorrow.

   He was falsely convicted of blasphemy and brought before Pilate.  Pilate tried to pass of the problem by sending Jesus to Herod, who only mocked and ridiculed Jesus and sent Him back to Pilate.  Finally, after having Him scourged, Pilate gave in to the will of those demanding Jesus be crucified and sent Him to His death.

   He was striped, nailed to the cross and left hanging while the Jewish religious readers, the Roman soldiers and even one of those nailed to a cross beside Him derided and taunted Him.

   After three hours of agony Jesus gave up His spirit and died.  He was taken down and placed in the sepulcher provided by Joseph of Arimathea.  The Jewish leaders believed they had resolved the problem of a Messiah who didn’t meet their misguided expectations.

   So much evil, so much hatred.  And yet, out of all that evil came the greatest good there has ever or will ever be; the resurrection and ascension of our Lord, offering eternal life and happiness to those who believe.

   When life seems hard and I begin to feel a bit down, I reflect on the evil that was done to my Savior and remember the incredible good that resulted.  No matter how difficult or painful life may become, God can bring good from it, though I may not see it in this lifetime.  In this is the peace, comfort, and promise of the Christian faith.