From Suffering to Hope
originally published on April 16, 2025 for Wisdom's Dwelling newsletter and substack "From Suffering to Hope" As we draw closer to Christ’s Passion and Resurrection, we see in the readings the plan of salvation put into motion. Today is traditionally referred to in the Church as “Spy Wednesday”. This is the day that Judas met with the priests who wanted to arrest Jesus. The readings today reflect these themes of suffering and betrayal. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a prophecy of a “suffering servant”. We hear a description of how a man will be mocked and his beard will be plucked. He has been beaten and is weary. We know this servant to be Jesus. One of the ministries that I have been involved with in my parish is OCIA (formerly RCIA). It is the Church’s process of preparation for those who desire to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter. During the season of Lent, the drama amps up in our liturgy and in our scripture readings, but also for those wh...
