Wednesday of Holy Week

Good morning. This morning’s first reading is from the book of Isaiah. The speaker in the first reading for today’s Mass talks about his sufferings as a result of his speaking God’s word. He continues to suffer and yet he continues to follow God, and never gives up hope. Marriage is sometimes that way. Sometimes we endure suffering, we encounter disappointments or uncertainties, and even ridicule or scorn like the speaker in the verse from Isaiah. Living a married life is not an easy thing these days. Yet, like the speaker in today’s reading from Isaiah, despite whatever obstacles we might encounter in our marriage, God is there for us through it all. He simply asks that we not give up on Him. It can be difficult, especially in a world that scoffs at the idea of suffering or remaining true to one’s marital vows. Much of what we read and hear throughout Holy Week is about remaining faithful and about remaining hopeful despite our sufferings. “See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong?” The reading from the Book of Isaiah reminds us that with God's help, if He is a central part of our marriage, we can together overcome anything that comes our way. Our Pope Benedict reminds us of the promise of remaining hopeful in the face of adversity. In his Encyclical Spe Salvi he reminds us that "It is not by sidestepping or fleeing from suffering that we are healed, but rather by our capacity for accepting it, maturing through it and finding meaning through union with Christ, who suffered with infinite love." There is found in the journey to Calvary this week a wonderful lesson for those of us who are married, it is a lesson which exists for all of us, that with hope in God there is nothing we cannot endure and that it is in embracing our moments of hardship and suffering where we find love. God is with us every step of the way, which is not to say it will not be painful, but our faith will see us through. Beyond Calvary there is goodness and love. As Pope Benedict reminds us, “Spe salvi facti sumus”—In hope we are saved. Give someone you love reason for being hopeful today. Make a great day!