Holy Week reminds that even in times of sorrow, comfort can be found in Christ
By Robert Sullivan
This coming Sunday, known as Palm Sunday in the Catholic Church, marks the beginning of Holy Week. During this week, we focus more intently on Jesus' last week on earth, which begins with his triumphal entry into Jerusalem and ends with his suffering and death on a cross. Because of this, it is often a dark and sorrowful week, but it is also a week of hope. From one perspective, there seems to be no hope at all. For those who followed Jesus during his ministry, and especially for those who loved him, there was hope that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah, the one who would redeem Israel. When Jesus was arrested, persecuted and crucified, all hope was gone. What had been hoped for ended in disappointment. It is no surprise that when Jesus needed his friends the most, they abandoned him. Sure, they feared for their own lives, but they also lost their hope. For them, Jesus' story had come to an end.We, however, know that this is not the end of the story. Three days later, just as Jesus had foretold, he rose from the dead, thus destroying death once and for all. In this redemptive work he revealed that he truly was the Messiah, the one sent to save God's people. This is not what the disciples of Jesus had expected and therefore they were not prepared for it. But in the Resurrection, Jesus proves that there is reason to hope. Although all hope seemed lost, it was not gone forever. In the end, through unexpected ways, God fulfilled all that was promised.Holy Week comes at a fitting time for the University of Portland. In the last two weeks, we have experienced two situations that have rocked the UP community, namely, the disappearance of Juan Garcia and the death of Ted Karwin.Our hearts are hurt. Our faith might be shaken. Our hope is put to the test. From one perspective, there seems to be no hope at all. We however, know that this is not the end of the story. We know that in the end, through unexpected ways, God will fulfill all that is promised. In the end, God conquers. It is in God then, that we place our hope, for God does not disappoint. We are dealing with much pain right now. We pray for Juan's safe return and grieve the loss of Ted. In addition to this, we may also be experiencing our own difficult situations: the death of a family member or loved one, news of people being diagnosed with cancer or other illnesses, tough times as a result of the current economy, high stress as we approach the end of the semester, broken bones and broken hearts. There is no easy solution to deal with any of these experiences. One helpful suggestion is to place our hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, the one who conquers death. We know from the story of Christ's Passion that there is reason to hope, even when all hope seems lost. As we enter into Holy Week, we place all our pain, sadness, frustration, worries and anxiety into the loving arms of Christ. As he suffered, so we too suffer. As he rose from the dead, we too will rise above our sufferings. Jesus Christ is our reason to hope. May we place all our hope in him.Robert Sullivan is assistant hall director in Villa Maria Hall
