The Via Dolorosa is the Latin for ‘Sorrowful Way’ or ‘Way of Suffering.’ It is the path that Jesus Christ took through the Old City of Jerusalem toward Golgotha, where he was Crucified. This week is Holy Week in the Catholic Church, which starting on Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem and climaxes with the Last Supper on Thursday and the Passion of Christ on Good Friday. On Good Friday we are called to follow him along his way of suffering, remembering that as true disciples of the Master we must imitate him in all things, even to laying down of our lives.

For the Christian, this taking up of our crosses is actually a daily thing, not just something we contemplate occasionally. In the big and small situations of our lives we are compelled to say, ‘Thy will be done.’ Just as Jesus Christ did in the Garden of Gethsemane. I often do not want to do what the Father is asking of me, and on my knees, I have begged Him to take this cup from me, but ultimately, I am resigned to His will. I have been sorrowful unto Death at times, but not to the point of sweating blood as Christ did, or giving up my earthly existence…yet.

I was faced with the possibility of this ultimate reality just before Lent. I had medical tests performed that indicated that I had Cancer. But, upon further testing, the results came back negative. In truth, my doctor was surprised, and so she suggested an outpatient procedure just to confirm the findings. This discussion was on the day before Ash Wednesday, and I had been preparing myself spiritually to walk the way of suffering, as my own Mother had done during Lent twenty-three years ago, dying on the eve of Palm Sunday with Cancer. Before the test results, I had not prayed for my health or welfare, only for the grace to accept whatever was presented to me by the Hand of God. This is an attitude that has been developed in me over a lifetime of trials. We all have them. How we handle them shows our character.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through
the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

I have not posted on my blog for almost two years, as I have been living out a Via Dolorosa of my own. Many changes have come, which I have had to accept…not always gracefully, or willingly at first, but finally with peace. Many blessings have come along as well, so I pray that the coming Holy Week will fill me, and all of you, with the ability to be resigned to His will in our lives, and to also rejoice in the Resurrection! May we walk forward, even if it is with baby steps, out of the grave and into the Love of Jesus Christ our Lord.

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