When we reflect on Jesus’ death and resurrection, our understanding of suffering is challenged. By default, we think of suffering as being the result of something or someone going wrong. But Jesus chose to suffer, and presents his suffering as a good thing, not a bad thing. In Jesus we see suffering, not as a disaster, but as an act of love. In Jesus’ day, all suffering was considered to be a consequence of sin. Jesus challenged that belief. He offers us a new perspective: suffering is an opportunity to love, and love is the stuff of God.
When there are disasters on the news, we naturally look at images of devastation and conclude that something has gone horribly wrong. Jesus, however, looks at it as an opportunity for human beings to demonstrate their capacity to love one another. You can see it on the faces on the news coverage. At desperate times, the very best of humanity reveals itself. And that is the stuff of God.
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