Because always, even in the darkest moments,
in moments of sin, in moments of weakness, in moments of failure,
I have seen Jesus and I trusted Him. He has not left me alone. —Pope Francis
It can be easy to say ‘God is Love’, perhaps too easy. Love is stronger than death; it does not flee from pain, or from laying down ones life. Jesus did not flee when his time came; he allowed death to overtake him. Not just death, but great suffering. He allowed himself to experience our alienation from God, the fear that we are alone in a dark and meaningless universe. He understands our failures, our weakness, and doubts and yes our capacity for evil….yet we are loved by the Good Shepherd. It is hard to believe, yet it is experienced by many, who then take deeper root in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Fear only draws us deeper into ourselves, love asks us to move beyond fear into freedom. Death to self is letting go of fear and preoccupation, allowing us to look to the Infinite, something beyond our comprehension.
Br. Mark Dohle, OCSO
Holy Spirit Monastery
