One of the strongest reasons for not believing that there can possibly be a God is the amount of undeserved suffering in the world, and the fact that death seems to reign supreme. At Lourdes next week, we shall be seeing a great deal of human suffering, and yet (at least after the first shock) the effect is very far from depressing. Why is this so? There are at least two reasons for this. The first is that we have the privilege of serving the sick pilgrims and therefore are enabled to see beyond the suffering to the person, and, somehow or other (it is hard to say precisely how), makes a difference. The second reason lies in the sick persons themselves. As we listen to them and learn from them, the suffering somehow gets put in its place. Not that it becomes any less awful; it is simply that somehow it no longer holds the centre stage.
Scripture reading
Mark 14: 32-42
And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I pray." And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch." And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt." And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time, and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come; the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."