The body of Abraham Lincoln the President of the USA was placed for the public to pay homage. The queue stretched for miles and there was an African American woman with her 4-year-old child. She pointed to the lifeless body of Lincoln and said,” dear child, look at his face very carefully. He gave his life for you.”

We are often haunted with the thought that there is no one to take care of us, no one to stand by us. Our lives are often filled with bitter moments rising form the chalice of life. But when we are faced with bitter trials and tribulations, Jesus who experienced all these trials in his earthly life assures us through the cross that he is with us during our trials. Jesus has undergone the suffering to the extent that he cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27: 46) before giving up his life.

We are stepping into the Holy season of Lent meditating on the Cross of Jesus our savior. The Cross of Jesus assures us that the one who was wounded for our sake is with us. the letter to the Hebrews reminds us that “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15).  This verse encourages us to believe that we are not alone in our trials and temptations. The one who was wounded for us, the one who went through suffering is with us. He will never leave us alone but will always be with us. He will comfort us in our sufferings.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Even if everyone deserts me in this world, Lord Jesus who bore my sufferings and pain will always be my side and let this hope fill our heart and be a source of comfort.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering (Isaiah 53: 4).

Fr Prince Chakkalayil CST