Never Forsaken

A Reflection on the Psalm for March 28th, 2021:
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

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Psalm 22

R. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads; “Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver; let him rescue the one in whom he delights!” 

R. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

For dogs are all around me; a company of evildoers encircles me. My hands and feet have shrivelled; I can count all my bones. 

R. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

They divide my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots. But you, O Lord, do not be far away! O my help, come quickly to my aid! 

R. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 

R. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

The psalmist, David, had a close relationship with God. In many of his trials and challenges, he would ask God why he was forsaken because he felt abandoned by Him. Jesus would say these same words as He agonized on the cross, speaking on behalf of all of us sinners. Jesus too was suffering and felt all the human emotions and pain of His burdens, in atonement for all of our sins.

David described all the difficulties that he was going through, all the humiliations he had suffered, and all the pain that he had experienced. He called out to the Lord. He felt abandoned, and yet knew that God would not abandon him. At the same time, David praised God and wrote of how he would sing His praises to all of Israel, for answering their prayers when they called for help, for not neglecting them in times of need, and for saving His people.

Jesus’ pain, suffering, and death on the cross has opened the gates of heaven to allow us in. God has not abandoned us, despite our sins. He seemed to punish us, and yet, He opened the way for us to be redeemed from our sins. We have not been neglected and are saved.

Reading and reflecting on this psalm has brought home the realization that through the ages, God has been faithful to us. During times of difficulty, when we are so focussed on our misfortunes, we do not see God’s guiding hand upon us. Only from hindsight do we realize that the decisions we made or the paths we chose to take were God’s grace upon us, giving us the wisdom to do what we did.

I recently read through all of the liturgy for the Easter Vigil — the story of our salvation. My heart was so full of gratitude as I went through each reading, highlighting God’s love for us and how He wants us to be with Him. 

In this season of Lent, as we reflect on Jesus’ suffering on the cross, let us resolve to bring glory and praise to God through our actions — in our demeanor, through our kindness towards others, and in dying to ourselves in order to give back to Jesus, in our small way, for His big sacrifice in dying on the cross for us. A challenge that I have given myself is to continue to give up what I had given up for Lent, to make it a more meaningful sacrifice. It is, after all, a small matter compared to dying on the cross.


“To Him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down, before Him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for Him.” (Psalm 22:29)

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Liz Venezuela

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