And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Matthew 27:46
Seeing the suffering Jesus and hearing how he prayed helps us to pray our way through our own sufferings.
We realize again that he really entered into our human living and took on our heartaches and our pain.
Some questions to bring to prayer this week include:
- As you imagine this gospel scene, can you enter into conversation with Jesus about his suffering?
- Do you have your own experiences of feeling abandoned by God? How did/does it feel? How did/do you relate to God in those situations?
- Pray for those who feel abandoned: spouses and children who have been deserted, the mentally ill and homeless who are uncared for, those who cling to ideals when others have folded to pressure.
- Pray in gratitude for your faith- although it may seem weak at times- and for the faith of the community that sustains you in the midst of suffering.
Third Week of Lent: The Fourth Word – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”