“There is not, never has been, and never will be a single human being for whom Christ did not suffer.” – Council of Quiercy
I recently came across this quote, and it stopped me in my tracks. In fact, it nearly overwhelmed me. As a lifelong Catholic, born during Lent, I know that I find myself putting lots of pressure on myself during the Lenten season. Prayer, fasting, almsgiving… the commitment to sacrificing… the self-inflicted pressure of not feeling “too” joyful – sometimes I almost lose sight of the “why”.
The simple truth is that Jesus suffered for each and every one of us. Those that had come before Him, those that were with Him – and against Him – at the time of His Passion, and all of us who were to come after His time on Earth. He suffered for us. Those who were and weren’t against Him, those who did or didn’t know Him… those who ARE or AREN’T for Him, those who DO or DON’T know Him. On the cross, He saw each and every one of us. And He willingly suffered for us. When I stop and think about the infinite amount of people He was saving as He was being tortured, mocked, and murdered, it brings tears to my eyes.
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” – John 10: 10-11
Jesus died so that we may live. And we are His sheep. This lent, I’m trying to remember that I’m one sheep in an infinite flock. And while I’m rarely the “lost sheep”, Jesus still seeks me out. So as I suffer alongside Jesus for 40 days, I’m trying to do so with gratitude. What a gift we’ve been given. Jesus’s suffering for all of us has given us the chance to be with Him one day, in Paradise.
