I am assigned to our foreign mission in Europe for the year and it has been full of change and unexpected new challenges around every corner - culture shock, Covid, and the war in Ukraine. It has challenged me to approach each day as a gift from the Father, not knowing what I will face that day or what type of new problem there will be.
It has been frustrating at times feeling like we’re not in control. But we have a Father who is unchanging, who is in control and is always here for us. So we can trust Him and His plan for us even in the midst of great suffering.
I have reflected on this as part of Mary’s experience on Holy Saturday. She didn’t run away from the cross but embraced it with her whole being, but this did not negate how greatly she suffered with her Son at the foot of His cross. And after He died, she was left with this great hole in her heart. She longed to be with her Son, yet she was filled with hope that He would fulfill every one of the promises that He made and that the Scriptures would be fulfilled before her eyes. So her sorrow was mixed with such great hope and trust that what was promised would be fulfilled. This is the same faith she assented with at the Annunciation, believing what the angel said, “nothing is impossible with God.”
How great was her joy when she finally locked eyes with her Son again on the morning of the resurrection, exclaiming, “I knew You would overcome. I knew You would fulfill.” May Mary’s trust and hope aid us in facing our personal challenges and sufferings in hopeful expectation of the Father’s faithfulness in His promises to each of us.
-Sr. Maria Clare Smith, T.O.R.
