The third phase: Confirming

After the demanding decision-making there is a feeling of relief, but the Exercises do not end there but continue with the living out of this choice, which becomes reality in the daily existence of the companions. The paschal mystery (the passion and the resurrection stories of the gospel) constitutes the material for the contemplations in the rest of the Exercises, which like a diptych is divided between the Third Phase that deals with the passion of Jesus and to the Fourth that leads us to the resurrection. The two sides of the paschal mystery is in fact the place where the companions’ existence unfolds in constant tension between suffering and joy. They are called to fidelity to their chosen way and lifestyle in these varying circumstances. - Introduction to the third phase

Again, the structure makes great sense. All of our lives is an immersion in crucifixion and resurrection, so it makes sense for these remaining phases to be rooted in these wonderful mysteries of the church. I'm still thinking a lot about Fr. Neuhaus, and of the idea that I have learned from him that suffering is not merely a means to glory but is itself a glorification, if we enter into it with the proper spirit. We remain afraid of it, though.

I, for instance, do not wish to know the heartache of seeing my daughter in suffering and peril. Yet perhaps I may enter into this moment rather than shrink from it, knowing that the Father loved me enough to see his only Son bear far worse than this. I know that she is no more abandoned in her circumstances (emotional and, more urgently now, physical) than Jesus was in his, no matter how much they both may have experienced the feelings of being abandoned and afraid.

I wish that the liturgical calendar allowed for more contemplation of this phase, but as Fr. Neuhaus insists that our meditations about Good Friday should actually expand throughout the year because its implications certainly do, so I may come back to this phase to allow consider it at greater length.