unless it had been given you from above

Friday, April 10, 2009 Good Friday (Divine Mercy Novena Day 1)

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel: Isaiah 52:13 -- 53:12 Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25 Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1 -- 19:42

John 19:11  Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin."

 

Jesus was clearly indicating that this was planned.  Jesus was planned to be crucified.  At first this sounds very cruel.  Why would God plan to have his son crucified?  Why put him through this ordeal?

The only thing I can think of is that the alternative must be worse.  We think about how horrible suffering is in this world.  But how horrible is eternal spiritual suffering?  God can do anything.  He can make people from rocks, he can raise the dead, he can part the seas.  We must believe that God has the best in mind since he can do anything.  So we must believe that suffering is necessary for our souls.  Suffering is a part of this life.  We must be able to accept it if we want to be like Christ.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to accept the suffering that comes my way and understand that you can do all things and that your love goes beyond my understanding.

Amen