Be Still. I Am With You.

Dear friends,

How can we speak of horrific and unimaginable human tragedies in a way that does them justice? How can we think about violence and hatred, war and terror, without being overwhelmed or losing hope? Without becoming numb and indifferent to it all?

It’s so easy to slip into extremities: black or white, adoration or condemnation, excitement or rejection, hosanna or crucify?

“The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest.” (Matthew 21:9)

And then days later, the same crowd is shouting again, but something completely different:

“Away with this man! Crucify him!! Crucify him!”

Between those cries of “Hosanna” and “Crucify him” is a week filled with tension and deep emotions. Friends, what signs of love and hope does God give to help us endure overwhelming situation, without feeling abandoned.

I Am With You

At the Last Supper, Jesus offers his life and his love with those closest to him. And this is important: God meets our human sufferings not with might, but with mercy, not with dominance, but with self-giving love. He gives himself to us, through our life.

And in moments of betrayal, spoken or silent.

Judas Iscariot betrays his friend with a kiss.

Before the cock crows twice, Peter will deny his friend three times.

All the joy, the praise and the rejoicing for the one who healed and gave hope …. VANISHED!

Now, judgment is passed on him. And Jesus is silent. He questioned him at length but he gave him no answer and Pilate was amazed.

I often ask myself: Jesus, why are you silent? Why don’t you show your power, your might and your glory? That’s one of the most difficult questions we can ask about God. This silence … this almost unbearable silence in our moments of greatest need.

Be Still.

There is another kind of silence. A silence borne by compassion and shared suffering. It is not easy to hear this kind of silence. This loving silence of God. The silence that says: “Listen. Be still… Even now, I am with you.”

Jesus heard it. Especially in his deepest suffering. Hanging on the cross of judgement, of condemnation. He heard it. He heard this loving silence of God, his father, for us, too.

Jesus Christ dwells in us — and he joins heaven to earth.

“Listen. Be still… Even now, I am with you — wherever you are.”

Jesus Christ lives in us. And He joins heaven to earth.

“Listen. Be still. I am with you — even now. Wherever you are.”

Thank you Lord Jesus Christ,
for your love, that never fails,
and your faithfulness that never ends.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.