From the Prayer Journal of Fr. Jack Tolley

We all have experienced dark moments of the soul.  Things seem utterly hopeless. Our youngest son has a mental illness, rheumatoid arthritis, and other medical problems. The author of this reflection had similar seemingly hopeless problems that eventually turned into joy with God's help and love. That can happen for you too.  
Blessings, love, and hugs from a safe distance,
Fr. Jack.

And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. (Luke 23:48)

     As I sit here writing, my son Isaac, is singing the soundtrack from Frozen at the top of his lungs.  He brings truly immeasurable and uniquely delivered love and joy to me, my family and many others.  Yet, when he was born with Down syndrome just after Easter 10 years ago, I confess it was one of the darkest times of my life- an agonizing and humbling admission for a mom to make.  Now I can say with complete honesty that Isaac is one of the greatest joys of my life, a precious and continuous gift.  His guileless and generous affection, unprejudiced enjoyment of the littlest things, keen emotional intuition, and innocent yet profound faith are priceless blessings.  Plus, he's just plain fun.
     As I remember those early, dark moments of my pregnancy and those first months after Isaac's arrival, I think about the last few days of Jesus' life.  How unspeakably dark that time must have been for His followers.  The hope Jesus offered was seemingly extinguished on that hill.  I found myself unexpectedly but joyously pregnant at forty-three with the heart-welling anticipation of new life; then that joy was suddenly confusingly, agonizingly gone.
     Did the apostles feel the same way?  Were they lost in despair?  But we're wrong to underestimate God's omnipotence and His love for us!  The empty tomb and then Jesus' appearance in the upper room heralded joy, just as Isaac does for me today.  If you are at what seems like a terminal low point, look to the cross.  Recall how hopeless it all seemed.  Then remember Easter.  Thank you, Jesus, for Easter!
- Isabella Yosuico