In Mark’s gospel account, Jesus only spoke from the cross once with these words. Have you ever felt abandoned? I know I have. Our Lord, in His human nature, experienced all of the same feelings we experience. His feeling of abandonment was extreme. After he finished speaking these words from the cross, according to Mark,” Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.” (Mark 15:37)
As the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary indicate, Jesus suffered the agony in the garden, was scourged at the pillar, received a crown of thorns, carried his cross and was crucified. All of this was done, to fulfill His father’s will. He felt forsaken, but was obedient to the Father’s will to the end.
On this Palm Sunday of the Lord’s passion, our Lord is truly present. God’s time is an ever present now. As imitators of Christ, as members of his Body, we share in the sufferings of Christ. We stand in awe, and are caught up in these great mysteries of our faith and with gratitude and reverence, we surrender our wills to the Lord’s will. With hope, we sing verse 5 of “Ubi Caritas” by Bob Hurd: “May we one day behold your glory and see you face to face, rejoicing with the saint of God to sing eternal praise.”