Good Friday in Our Lives

Think about your worst moments. The worst moments of your life. Rock bottom. Despair. Hopelessness. Whatever you want to call it. Think of the moment that life seemed unbearable and you didn't think you would make it.

I don't know what this time is for you, but I think mine was one night (just around a year ago), as I stood at the top of a flight of stairs and contemplated taking my own life. I thought about how easy it would be to simply throw myself down the stairs and end everything. It didn't cross my mind that this might not even kill me. All I cared about was that it could.

This was my Good Friday. When I looked at life and wondered what could possibly matter. If anything could actually have a purpose. If life was actually worth it. If you had asked me then, I would have said that it wasn't. It felt like I was drowning in a dark ocean with no bottom in sight. As much as I looked for light, I couldn't find it. It seemed hopeless.

But it wasn't. Eventually, the sun started to shine. Hidden at by the obstacles in my life, but still there. Slowly, the sun became more and more prominent.

We're each going to face a "Good Friday" in our life. Maybe multiple. The time when we can't find God anywhere and He is gone from our lives.

But He will not leave us wanting. He is never gone. If we experience a Good Friday, surely, we will experience an Easter Sunday, too.

Who, Me? - Lenten Reflection for the Third Friday of Lent

"The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.'" Mark 12:31

 In today's gospel, Jesus reiterates the two most important commandments: to love God above all, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Growing up, the second great commandment was taught to me by many people: my parents, teachers, priest, and family members. But it wasn't until recently that I really heard what Jesus was saying.

"Love your neighbor as yourself." It seems simple: love your neighbor, be good to them, etc. But do you really love your neighbor as yourself? I know I fail often. I tend to compare myself with my neighbors and put them on a pedestal. I see their beauty, their talents, and their goodness. And then there's me... broken, clumsy, and not good enough.

When Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves, He's not only telling us to love others, but to love ourselves, too. As humans, it's hard to love perfectly. Our love is disproportionate and sometimes we get frustrated with ourselves because of this fact. But Jesus... He is God, and He is perfect, beautiful Love. When you look at yourself in the mirror, look through the lens of Christ. Everything that you criticize about yourself, Jesus sees, and He delights in you despite  what you perceive. Will you too, delight in your beauty and worth despite your flaws?

Lord Jesus, You saw our imperfections as You were dying on the cross, and You deemed us worthy of Your love and suffering. Help us to see ourselves and our neighbor as You see us: beloved. Amen.

Hos 14:2-10
Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17
Mk 12:28-34

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Originally posted here as a part of Mount St. Mary's University's Lenten Reflections.