HIS LIFE IS NOT LIKE OTHER MEN'S
There are always forces in human life that put us through suffering and desolation, at times, putting us to the test. Let us remember the words we acclaim, today, in the Responsorial Psalm, "The Lord is close to the broken-hearted" (Ps 34:19a).
Far from being a threat to the safety of the people, Jesus came to be their salvation and to give them eternal life. Still, the leaders of the people plotted to kill Him. They felt that His death was necessary in order to get Him out of their way so that they could do whatever they wanted. Perhaps the real reason for their plot can be found in the words quoted in today's first reading from the Book of Wisdom, "His life is not like other men's, and different are His ways...Let us condemn Him to a shameful death" (Wis 2:15, 20).
Jesus was a living reproach to the leaders of His day, making all their self-serving and sinfulness evident. Death, of course, is not the end for Jesus, but only His gateway to eternal life and the exaltation of His heavenly Father. Christ Jesus knew His mission. He knew that His life would entail sacrifice and suffering for our sake, which would put Him to death on a cross. His "hour" would crush defeat with victory, and bring us all to freedom and the glory of everlasting life! His willingness to suffer was to redeem us from our sins and to restore our intimate relationship with God, our Father.
As we continue our journey through this Lenten season, may we persevere in prayer and deepen our relationship with God, especially when we need to prepare ourselves for times when we may feel totally alone or troubled. There may or may not be individuals who plot against us (as in the first reading and in the life of Jesus), but we do deal with sickness, broken relationships, old age, and many other difficulties. There are always forces in human life that put us through suffering and desolation, at times, putting us to the test. Let us remember the words we acclaim, today, in the Responsorial Psalm, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted" (Ps 34:19a).
May we always believe that!