Our Lady of Sorrows

Readings for Tuesday September 15, 2009

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

First Reading: 1 Timothy 3:1-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 101
Gospel: John 19:25-27


Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (John 19:25-27)

As a father, the very idea of my child being in pain brings such a sadness to me. I cannot even begin to imagine what Mary must have felt like standing there at the cross. While I am sure that her heart was pierced, it was not broken. I imagine that Mary, although suffering a great deal at that time, still had hope and trust in God; the very same hope and trust that she had in Him when she said "yes" at the annunciation.

We should remember that pain and suffering do come to us at various times in our life. We must always know that there is a reason for our pain and suffering, even if that reason is not clear. With each trial and each pain that we encounter, we come out stronger than we went in. While at the time it may hurt, if we continue to persevere, we can come out better and stronger all by the grace of God.

We would do well to stand with Mary at the foot of the cross and think about the sorrows of our Blessed Mother. By doing so we can come to a deeper understanding of God's great love and sacrifice for each of us. By standing with Mary, we should also remember that while we all will go through pain and suffering in our lives, we do not have to go through it alone. Jesus gave John to Mary and Mary to John; God also gives us other people to be with us and help us through the tough times.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, you alone are the way, the truth and the light; may we always follow you and you alone in this life. Lord, you gave us your mother as an advocate to help bring us closer to you, we thank you and may we always remember to ask for her intercessions. Lord we thank you for all that we are, all that we can do, and all that we have. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.