May the Lord bless you with peace in the Holy Spirit.
It is on 15th September 2023.
We are celebrating the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. We reflect on Hebrews 5:7-9; and the Gospel from John 19:25-27.
Are we running away from pain and suffering? Suffering is redemptive. No one is exempt from suffering. Agility and grace are bestowed in withstanding. Participating in suffering makes us humane. “A sword will pierce your own soul too.” It is time to learn from Mary how to suffer silently and glorify God.
The Seven Sorrows are these: Simeon’s Prophecy about the sword of sorrow (Lk 2:34-35); The Flight of Joseph, Mary and Jesus into Egypt (Mt 2:13); The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2:43-45); Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary (Lk 23:26); Jesus Dies on the Cross (John 19:25); Mary Receives the Body of Jesus in Her Arms (Mt 27:57); and The Body of Jesus is Placed in the Tomb (John 19:40).
Our Lady of Sorrows strengthens us and inspires us to accept suffering as God’s plan for saving and purifying humanity. Our willingness to suffer is not only to purify us but also to inspire the people around us. Authentic love suffers silently and sincerely.
The more we love someone, the more we suffer deeply. The intensity of our suffering depends on the depths of love we have for the other person. Mother Mary accepted all the sufferings out of love for Jesus.
Mary is the model for us all to live with suffering. God never departs from us when we suffer for the right reason.
In our first reading, we are reminded that Jesus suffered and died for the sake of love to save us.
The responsorial Psalm prays, “Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.” (Ps.31:17).
In the Gospel, we are promised a mother who strengthens us when we go through suffering. As she stood there near the Cross to accompany Jesus in His suffering, She will also stand by us to strengthen us when we suffer. “Then Jesus said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” (Jn.19:27).
May the Lord bless you to have a good day.