Dear Parishioners,
The mystery of human suffering and death has puzzled the human race for centuries. We understand when wicked people suffer but not when it happens to the innocent. There has to be a reason. The first reading (Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24) states that death and suffering came into the world through the devil (original sin), and once having entered the world, they don’t discriminate between the good and the bad. Otherwise, it would have been unjust for Jesus and Mary to have suffered and died. However, the suffering and death of Jesus redeemed humanity and opened the gates of heaven. It had meaning and value. So, too, can ours if we offer it up to God as a participation in the suffering and death of Jesus. When we suffer pain or disappointment in life, we can either whine and moan or “offer it up” in imitation of Jesus. If we follow our Lord’s example, we can expect to be raised up at the end of our lives. What Jesus did in the gospel with the daughter of Jairus (Mk 5:21-43), he wants to do for us.
Fr. Carl
Rev. Stephen Hook is Pastor of the Pastorate of the Visitation which includes the Catholic Churches of Pasadena, Maryland: St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) and Our Lady of the Chesapeake (Lakeshore). He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. John Belinki, Deacon Howard Klohr, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
