Our Lady of Sorrows

1 Cor. 10:14-22, Lk. 2:33-35. The title, “Our Lady of Sorrows,” was first given to the Blessed Virgin Mary to recall her intense grief during the passion and death of our Lord. Gradually, the scope of this title was not limited to the sacred Passion and was extended to comprise “the seven sorrows” of Mary, as foretold by the old prophet Simeon, while the child Jesus was presented in the Jerusalem Temple. This devotion is popular in the Catholic Church, many of whose faithful like to meditate on her Seven Sorrows: Simeon’s Prophecy about the sword of sorrow: "A sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Lk. 2:34-35), the Flight of Joseph, Mary and Jesus to 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 (Jn 19:25), Mary receives the Body of Jesus in Her Arms (Mt. 27:57), the Body of Jesus is placed in the Tomb (John 19:40).

In today's Gospel, Mary is told that her Son will be a source of blessings and salvation, but He will have to suffer. Love is much more than having a “warm” feeling for someone. Truly, having an agape-love for others demands that we not caught up in self interest but seek to be understanding and caring for others. This type of love calls us to do our “bodily” part for the sake of the whole Body. It may demand suffering on our part. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was not caught up in herself, but she was with her dying Son and also care for, and be cared for by, John the disciple. Thus, she knew her role not just in giving birth to the physical Body of Jesus, but in supporting and being supported by the various parts of the Church, the Mystical Body of her Son. Just as Mary is bound to Jesus from the moment of His incarnation, she is united with Him in suffering as well as in joy. She has been and still is an active part of the Body of Christ.

May the Lord help us by His grace to offer ourselves as living sacrifice to God! Amen!! Keep safe and have a glorious day!!!