Today the Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. How appropriate that this comes the day after the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Our first reading, though, is for Tuesday of the 24th week in Ordinary Time, from 1 Timothy 3. St. Paul talks about the traits necessary for a bishop and a deacon. This always reminds me to pray for our clergy.
The Church gives parishes an option of two different readings for the Gospel. The first is from John 19, the scene at the foot of the cross where Jesus gives his mother to John. The other is from Luke 2 where Simeon tells Mary, “you yourself a sword will pierce,” prophesying about her coming sorrows.
I think that one of the hardest things in the world is for a parent to bury their child. I have watched as my mom has had to bury two of her children. How much greater must Mary’s sorrow have been? Watching her only son, who she knew was the Son of God, brutally beaten, scorned, laughed at, spit upon and left to die on a cross. Even if she knew God’s big grand plan, the hurt must have been immense. So, whenever you feel great sorrow, ask for the intercession of Our Lady of Sorrows. She knows what you’re going through.
Father, thank you for giving Mary the strength to endure so many hardships. We ask for her intercession, that we may we do the same with the same grace. Amen.
Many people are confused about Catholic teachings on Mary. I cover many of these on my CD on Marian Beliefs. You can get this and other teaching CDs for just $2 each in bulk at www.GusLloyd.com.
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