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The Mystery of Suffering
Today Christians celebrate Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, inviting us to journey alongside Jesus with renewed faith, hope and love. As we hold our palms, symbols of both triumph and sacrifice, we celebrate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem as the “Prince of Peace,” not with the pomp of earthly power, but with the humility of a servant. These palms, fresh and green, remind us of our commitment to Jesus. Yet, in days, they will dry, urging us to keep our spirit alive even when faced with trials.
The triumphal entry, celebrated at the beginning of Passion Week, emphasizes that the three elements — suffering, death and resurrection — belong together. Jesus’ death was not a defeat; it was a victory. “No Cross, no crown! No Wounds, no blessings!” The events of Jesus’ earthly life were the execution of God’s saving purpose: to restore the rapport that existed between God and humanity at Creation, which was ruptured with the fall of humanity. This genuine insight should be our concern, especially when suffering strikes us. What we contemplate today, and this week, is a graphic and realistic account of what every human life is. Jesus’ story is our story. We struggle to understand the mystery of suffering.
If we stop to think about life and why bad things happen, especially to good people, we may come up with some reasons: perhaps we create many problems for ourselves; or some individuals use their free will in a way that damages us; or maybe our problems come because of our fallen, dysfunctional human nature; or we grow old and body parts begin to wear out; or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. These are possibilities.
Whatever possibilities, Jesus came to save us from evil. What keeps us going and helps us stay positive is to believe that when bad things happen, God can turn them into something good. If God could take the death of Jesus, a very evil thing in human history, and turn it into something good — “the source of our salvation and eternal life” — then, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose,” says St. Paul (Rom 8:28).
Today, as our hearts echo “Hosanna,” let us remain faithful to our crucified Lord as we prepare to proclaim: “Alleluia, He is risen!” Happy Holy Week!