This Sunday will be the last before Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday next Sunday. You will notice the lectionary readings are orienting us towards the final days of our Lord’s earthy ministry.

This week, we will look at both a joyful and gut wrenching passage in St. John’s Gospel which portends that which is to come: the crucifixion. Read one way, the story is hopeful. “When I am lifted up from the earth,” says Jesus, “I will draw all people to myself.”

Christ's death is good news; indeed, it’s gospel. But Jesus’ death not only shows us how to live in the world with hope, it also shows us how to be in the world with sorrow. That’s the word Jesus chooses to describe his emotions when contemplating his passion: “sorrow.”

Being a priest, I’m able to hear many stories—your stories. To be sure, each of these stories have traces of hope, but they also have themes of sorrow. The gospel affirms, and explains, both.

You see, Christianity isn’t a pollyannaish, reality-denying faith—far from it! Jesus doesn’t ask us to be happy all of the time. Lent is an opportunity to lament, as Jesus lamented, the reality of sin and death in each of our lives. To be sure, we do so with hope, but we do lament.

As we turn our faces towards Calvary in the coming days, let’s follow the steps of Jesus. Let’s walk as he walked. Let’s lament as he lamented. Let’s follow in the long, dark shadow of the Man of Sorrows. “Man of Sorrows,” what a name for the Son of God who came—ruined sinners to reclaim. Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In our place, condemned He stood; Sealed our pardon with His blood. What a Savior.