Good morning, Good People,
May the Lord give you peace, health and happiness. It is 15th September 2025.
Yesterday we celebrated the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Today we stand spiritually at the foot of the Cross, sharing Our Lady’s grief and sorrow.
Sorrow and suffering can teach us deep lessons. The Cross, once an instrument of death, is transformed by Christ into a symbol of life and glory. As Mary stood in pain at the Cross, she too was changed and transformed. In her deepest sorrow, Christ proclaimed Mary the Mother of the Church. Through His death, Christ gave life to us and gave Mary as our Mother.
Sorrow and suffering in God’s hands become something beautiful and glorious. In times of distress, we are invited to stand with Mary at the Cross. Even in our darkest moments, God is preparing something glorious. Staying close to Mary leads us to share in the glory of the Cross.
Today we reflect on Hebrews 5:7-9 and the Gospel of John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35, as we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. It is a celebration inseparably linked to the Cross of our Lord, where Mother Mary stood by Jesus as He was dying. No one can ever put in black and white the pain and grief that the Mother went through.
Our Mother Mary left us valuable lessons for life by facing suffering without running away. Whenever we are not able to bear suffering, the first thing we tend to do is run away or hide from it. Yet facing suffering is itself a grace from God. Like Mary, we are called to stand, not to flee.
Mary also teaches us how to accompany others in their suffering. Just as she stood with Jesus, we too are invited to stand with our children, our families, and our brothers and sisters when they are challenged by the tides of life. Overprotecting them narcissistically can make them weaker; accompanying them makes them stronger.
Even as the Mother of God, she had to go through all the pain and suffering. There was no safe passage for her simply because she was the Mother of Jesus. Likewise, we too need to accept the sufferings, loss, and pain that come our way without complaining or condemning God or our fellow brethren.
By our efforts to stay close to Jesus, we can handle anything that troubles or pulls us down. Though the Seven Sorrows of Mary are highlighted in Scripture, she bore countless hidden sorrows without attracting attention — a silent witness to endurance and faith.
The Pietà, the grieving Mother with her crucified Son, is an icon of this truth. As she stood by her only Son Jesus, she now stands by us, interceding for us before the Lord. Jesus is “destined to be a sign that is rejected,” and for Mary, “a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34-35).
Let us be assured: we are not alone when we face suffering, pain, sickness, or loss. Our Mother Mary is with us to help us face it with the power of Jesus.
Have a peaceful day.
God bless you.