Palm Sunday
March 20, 2005


“The highest privilege there is, is the privilege of being able to share another’s pain.” Let me say that again. “The highest privilege there is, is the privilege of being able to share another’s pain.” I became very aware of that this week on a few levels.

First was a conversation with a college student – speaking of their sorrow at the loss of a relationship that had meant everything. And as they poured out their hearts to me, I felt so privileged, so honored to be trusted with their life. The second was Saturday morning, when the family from St. Ann invited me to anoint their mother who was in the last stages of her life. (She died on Wednesday) After the anointing, I sat in the kitchen. There was faith there, there was sadness there, and there was the privilege again of being on holy ground. The third time was visiting another parishioner in the hospital. Larry had a debilitating stroke two years ago, and after many ups and downs, entered hospice care. As we prayed the ritual of anointing, I was again aware of the love that surrounded this man, and the grace I had to be in that room, sharing their pain.

The last time was reading yesterday’s headline – “Doctors remove woman’s feeding tube.” And though I have never met the Schiavo family or the husband or anyone connected to the case, I found myself immersed in the pain on many levels. The pain of the husband who perhaps believes Terry is being kept alive against her wished. Then there’s the pain of the parents who simply love their daughter. And the pain of the pro Life people on all sides. “How do I accompany that?” came the voice in my head.

This Holy Week invites us to learn anew the truth of the statement: “The greatest privilege is that of sharing another’s pain.” For the great intuition of the church is that you and I are able to share in the suffering of Jesus. You and I are able to accompany Jesus in his pain and offer comfort, offer solace, offer our love and support. That’s the great mystery we celebrate during the Triduum – our walking with Jesus in his pain. Our wiping of his face as did Veronica. Our carrying the cross as did Simon. Our presence at the foot of the cross. It is an amazing grace offered to us this week – the chance to share in the suffering and pain of Jesus by prayerfully entering into these days.

It also helps us understand why Jesus chose to suffer and die. In Jesus, God too, experienced that greatest privilege –that of sharing in the pain of humanity by his suffering and death. So we know that we are not alone in our journey and our pain.

The greatest privilege there is, is that of being able to share in someone’s pain. As Jesus lived that truth, so may we live that truth this week. Amen….