WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN
Suffering and martyrdom are the lot of all who choose to follow
Jesus. There is no crown without the Cross. It was through Jesus' suffering,
humiliation and death that our salvation was won.
In the
Gospel of Matthew, today, we hear the words of the prophet Jeremiah: "A
voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her
children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more" (Mt
2:18).
Suffering
is indeed a mystery to all of us. No explanation seems to satisfy our human
hearts as we try to understand. St. Paul wrote to the Romans: "We know
that in everything God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called
according to His purpose" (Rom 8:28). These innocent children and their
parents suffered for Jesus Christ. Suffering and martyrdom are the lot of all
who choose to follow Jesus. There is no crown without the Cross. It was through
Jesus' suffering, humiliation and death that our salvation was won. His death
won life! His precious Blood obtained for us pardon and reconciliation with
God.
As we
reflect on suffering in today's Scriptures, we can see that it takes on many
forms: illness, disease, physical and mental pain, slander, abuse, poverty and
injustice. We also think about Mary today as well. Mary was given the
blessedness of being the Mother of the Son of God. Her call would also become a
sword that would pierce her heart as her Son died on the Cross. She received
both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. But, her joy was not diminished by
her sorrow, because it was fueled by faith and hope in God and His promises.
Jesus told His disciples, "No one will take your joy from you" (Jn
16:22).
Our
challenge for today is to keep joy alive in our own hearts; with the help of
faith and hope in God as well. We are called to be mature Christians. At the
same time, though, we cannot help but experience sadness and a diminishment of
spirit over one's good fortune, divine favors and blessings, while also knowing
that so many people lack these necessities. This, of course, moves us to a deep
sense of gratitude, appreciation and happiness for what we've been given. We
certainly do not want to diminish how much we recognize our heavenly Fathers goodness
in granting them! But these favors - health, food, family, peace, security,
education - cannot allow us to forget the numerous people around the world who
are forced to live without the essentials of life, as well as the peace and joy
that bring happiness.
Remember
and hold on to the words we proclaimed in today's Responsorial Psalm: "Our
soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare. Our help is in the
name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth" (Ps 124:7-8). We belong to
Him!