Alone

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

On Day 4 of this Holy Week devotional, we are reflecting on Jesus' fourth saying from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Today’s saying expresses Jesus’ humanity and his deep sense of abandonment as he experienced the weight of sin and the separation from God that it brings. In his moment of agony, Jesus cried out to his Father, expressing his pain and despair.

Here are some questions to reflect on as we think about today’s saying: 

• Have we ever felt abandoned or alone, especially in times of struggle or suffering? 

• How can we turn to God in moments of pain and despair, trusting in his love and mercy? 

• What barriers prevent us from fully surrendering our lives to God, and how can we work to overcome them?

Dear Church, let us take time to pray, asking God to comfort us in our times of need and give us the strength to endure the challenges we face. Ask for the grace to trust in God's love and mercy, even when we may not understand the circumstances of our lives. As we meditate on Jesus' words, may we be reminded of His deep love for us and our hope in Him.