Samson’s story echoes that of Christ in several ways. Both of their births included divine involvement. Both were sent to deliver God’s people—Samson to save Israel from the Philistines and Christ to save the world from sin. Both were betrayed by someone they trusted before their deaths: Samson by Delilah and, as today’s gospel reminds us, Jesus by Judas Iscariot. Yet, their stories also diverge in an important way. While Christ embodied humility and perfect obedience, Samson struggled. His lack of self-control and failure to fully trust God eventually led to his downfall.

We are reminded during Holy Week to cultivate Christ-like virtues—humility, self-discipline, and trust in God. By embracing these ways of living, we prepare ourselves for the trials that will inevitably come. As this week unfolds, may we reflect on Christ’s perfect obedience and seek to follow him to Calvary with greater devotion.

_{^{Image Credit: Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier, (French, 1815-1891), Samson Fighting the Philistines, ca. 1845, Oil on canvas, mounted to a larger canvas, Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, University of Notre Dame. Gift of Mrs. Norval Green, 1978.084.}}