“Seeking the Lord wholeheartedly in all situations, knowing that everything in life happens for good, for those who love God!”

(Based on Ezek 37:21-28 and Jn 11:45-56 – Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent)

In 2004, the movie “The Passion of the Christ” shocked the world – not only because of its raw depiction of Christ’s suffering, but because of what happened behind the scenes.

Jim Caviezel, the actor chosen to portray Jesus, endured unimaginable pain while filming the crucifixion.

During the production:

He was struck by lightning while hanging on the cross.
He dislocated his shoulder while carrying the 150-pound wooden cross.
He suffered hypothermia, pneumonia, and a severe gash from a real scourge that tore his flesh open.
For days, he couldn’t speak clearly because of the cold and pain.

His body was so battered by the end that he said: “I didn’t just play Christ…
… I felt crucified.”

People told him to stop filming.

Doctors warned him it was dangerous.
But he continued – offering his pain for a purpose.

Caviezel would later say:
“We all want resurrection… but most of us don’t want the suffering that leads to it.

But I knew – this wasn’t just a movie…
… this was a mission.”

And indeed, thousands have testified to finding faith, repentance, and healing through that film. His suffering brought souls to Christ.

In this painful process, we are reminded of an important truth: God uses suffering to redeem the world.

And that’s the mystery we enter today, on the eve of Holy Week…

When life seems shattered, when evil appears to triumph, when good is met with hatred, we are to remember:

Everything… yes… everything in life, happens for good…
… for those who love God (Rom 8:28)

We are called to live a life of holiness and conviction…
… even in the midst of any pain or setback or failure!

The Gospel of the day, on this eve of the Holy Week, introduces us to culmination of the sharp antagonism and hatred that was building up against Jesus.

Jesus had raised up the dead Lazarus (Jn 11: 1-43)

This event garnered a lot of attention…

Many people began to believe in the person of Jesus, as the Messiah and Lord.

But many others, also began to have a greater bitterness towards this Man who was working wonders!

Many people grew in their following of Jesus and placed a greater trust and confidence in Him

But many others, had their flames of jealousy intensified and began to have greater plotting to finish off the “law-breaker” and “blasphemer”

The good that the Lord had done, was apparently turning out to be an evil for the Lord!

The “life-giving” action of the Lord would immediately result in a “life-taking” act on Him!

The event of blessing to Lazarus would apparently turned out to result in an occasion of curse on Him (since dying on the cross was considered to be a curse (Deut 21: 23)!

In the ensuing planning and plotting by the chief priests and the Pharisees, the High Priest said, “… it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish” (Jn 11: 50)

Jesus had grown to be a big threat for them
Jesus had gathered up much popularity and had become a menace for the leaders.

Therefore, the High Priest suggested a “quick-solution”… to kill Jesus!

But, everything in life has a purpose…
… Because God is the ultimate ruler, preserver and nurturer of this universe!

They plotted death but God planned life
They were selfish but God made Him the Saviour
They sought for political gain, but God ensured spiritual gain.
They hoped to spare one nation, but God saved the whole world.
They intended the worst evil for Jesus but God turned it into the greatest good.
They wished to scatter all His followers, but God brought them together as one holy nation.

Our life also follows this same pattern…

The events we think are bad, also have a purpose in God’s mind.

The moments that we consider as ‘unlucky,’ also can be turned to a blessing by God.

Sometimes, it’s just too hard to accept this teaching…
… too difficult to understand this concept..

But we have a beautiful answer in this our painful moments: the Cross.

Look to the Cross and find strength from Him…
… who was abused though He was pure
… who suffered immensely, thought He was faultless.
… who underwent tremendous agony, thought He was sinless.

The Cross is the way of God…
… mysterious to us, but life saving for the world.
… baffling for us, but redemptive for the world.

What is most important is not to get discouraged or disheartened, rather…
… to seek the Lord wholeheartedly in all those situations
… to be faithful to the Lord in steadfastness and patience.
.. to be strong and joyful, finding strength in the love of the Lord.

Everything… yes… everything in life, happens for good!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment – The Family in God’s Plan

It is the natural society in which husband and wife are called to give themselves in love and in the gift of life.

Authority, stability, and a life of relationships within the family constitute the foundations for freedom, security, and fraternity within society. (CCC # 2207)