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In this week of both great sorrow, as we saw in our national news, and great joy, as we shared the excitement of our children’s Congé, I am reminded, yet again, of the hope that is the essence of our faith. The following is an excerpt from an article written by the Rev. James Martin, S.J., a Jesuit priest, author and contributing editor at America, the national Catholic magazine.

. . . . We do not have a God who does not understand suffering. Everyone on that first Good Friday in Jerusalem knew suffering: Jesus’ disciples, who had expected a joyful victory but received a miserable failure; and his family and friends who had followed him to the great city in happiness, but were met with sadness. Like the people in Boston, who had prepared for joy, they must have been at a loss to take in all the misery. Here was the person we loved, the one we knew well, for whom we had such hopes, cut down. In this familiar setting that is such a part of our lives—Jerusalem, Boston—violence, maiming and death. It doesn’t make sense. Finally, Jesus himself—God on the Cross—was miserably treated. A victim of senseless violence as sure as those on Boylston Street were.

Why bring this up? Because Jesus is not someone who does not understand pain! Jesus is with us in our suffering, not only because he loves us but because he suffered. 

But suffering is never the last word. There is always the possibility of new life. How will this happen? It may be difficult to see now, as it was impossible for the disciples on Good Friday to see, but the God who has suffered is ready to help us, and always holding out the promise of something new, something that will help us move beyond the blood and tears.  

That was true in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago and it is true in Boston today.  

I would add, it is true in West, Texas, it is true in Sandy Hook, Conn., and, it is true in sorrows and struggles of each of our own lives.

May hope be the lens through which we interpret all our joys and our sorrows,

Maureen Glavin, rscj