Feeling Abandoned?

By Marc Massery

Sunday April 5, 2020, Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
•At the Procession with Palms — MT 21:1-11
•Is 50:4-7
•Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24.
•Phil 2:6-11
•Mt 26:14—27:66 or 27:11-54

Every Palm Sunday, we read the Passion narrative. You know the story: Jesus rides into Jerusalem, celebrates the Last Supper with His Apostles, goes to the Mount of Olives, is arrested by the Jews, placed on trial, sentenced to death, and nailed to the Cross where He’s left to die.

Though Christ went through terrible physical suffering, perhaps one of the most painful aspects of His Passion was being abandoned by His most faithful disciples. It goes without saying that physical pain hurts. But if you’re like me, there are few things more painful than being rejected by those you love most. 

One of the first signs that His Apostles would betray Him was when Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to stay up with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane while He prayed. As Jesus prays, He is in such anguish that blood seeps from His brow (Lk 22:44). But His Apostles, including John, fall asleep, failing to provide the support He had asked for. 

But Jesus had already known that His Apostles would let Him down. As soon as they got to the Mount of Olives, Jesus told them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed" (Mt 26:31).

Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” Then Jesus predicts that Peter will abandon Him before the cock crows three times. Peter replies, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” The Gospel adds, “And all the disciples spoke likewise" (Mt 26:33-35). 

Jesus wasn’t merely abandoned by His Apostles — just hours before they abandoned Him, He was assured by all of them that they would stick by Him no matter what.  

In her Diary, St. Faustina wrote about her own experience of abandonment: 

It was a time of trials and purification. The trials were so painful that my soul felt as though it was being totally abandoned by God and it was steeped in profound darkness. I became aware and understood that no one would be able to bring me out of those torments or even understand me. (770)

God, of course, hadn’t abandoned St. Faustina. He’s not as fickle as the Apostles. But to her, it felt like He did.

We’ve all felt like this at one time or another, as if we’re alone in the world. Perhaps you feel like this today. It would make sense, considering the state of things. With strict social distancing measures in place, we’ve been barred from going out to eat, watching professional sports, going to concerts, and socializing with friends. Many of us are frightened, sick, lonely, and out of work. 

So if during this Holy Week you feel far away from your loved ones and abandoned by God, turn to Christ. Turn to St. Faustina. They know how you feel. They didn’t choose the trials that came to them either. They merely trusted that despite how they felt, despite how others treated them, God would help them through. Never forget: All trials come to an end. God’s love lasts forever. 

Photo by Alfonso Ninguno on Unsplash

LAMDVD

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