No one has or will understand suffering

April 1, 2007 -- Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

By Bishop Robert Morneau

	Bishop Robert Morneau
	Questions for reflection: 1. How does the celebration of Holy Week affect your image of God? 2. What is your understanding and attitude toward suffering? 3. How has your perception of Jesus changed over the years?

Back in 1988, Ian Ker wrote a powerful, intellectual biography: John Henry Newman: A Biography (New York: Oxford Press). Newman (1801-1890) was born into the Anglican tradition and converted to Catholicism in 1845. His writings influenced the documents of the Second Vatican Council. His love for the Church and the depth of his spirituality were truly remarkable. On this Palm Sunday, we might do well to reflect on some of Newman's words as they might illuminate this most important feast.

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"For the preacher's aim was to present the person of Christ" (100). Our focus on this Palm Sunday is on the person of Jesus. St. Paul shares how Jesus emptied Himself (the famous "kenosis" - self-emptying) and was obedient even unto death. St. Luke tells us about the anguish that Jesus suffered both physically and spiritually as He entered into His passion. Isaiah the prophet records the future coming of the suffering servant whom we have identified as Jesus.

The liturgy and preaching has a goal: to present Jesus both in His humanity and His divinity. Here is the Son of Man who was immersed in our human condition: here is the Son of God, faithful and obedient to the end. The Father's will was the driving force of Jesus' life and God's will was the salvation of the world.

"No one ever did a great thing without suffering" (219). As we enter Holy Week, we are bombarded by suffering. No wonder so many Christians find this week truly difficult as they witness betrayal and torture, scourging and crucifixion, deep spiritual anguish and abandonment. Yet the great thing to be accomplished, the conquering of sin and death, came through the great mystery of suffering. No one has or will understand the nature of suffering.

St. Thèrése of Lisieux confirms Newman's claim about suffering. She writes: "I see that suffering alone gives birth to souls . . ." When Jesus spoke of the grain of wheat falling into the ground, He was speaking about His own future. The paradox emerges: in dying to oneself, one lives.

"Our image of God is clarified through revelation and deepened through devotion" (640). Holy Week is crucial to our understanding of who we are and what life is all about. During these days we are given an image of God that defies the most enlightened philosophy. The Christian God is a crucified God; the Christian God is a God of such abundant love and mercy, that nothing is withheld in the work of redemption. Only revelation gives us entrance into this mystery.

Holy Week is a time of deep nourishment of our spiritual life. By our loving attention to the journey of Jesus and all that He has done for us, our devotion is enriched and strengthened. Reverent piety draws us into the mystery in ways that no rational thought could do.

Card. Newman was a great intellectual. Newman was also a man of deep affectivity. His love for Christ grew as, year after year, he entered the beauty and poignancy of Holy Week.

(Bp. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of the Green Bay Diocese and pastor of Resurrection Parish in Allouez.)