The priest may choose between two different Gospel readings for this Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. The first, which we heard today, from Luke’s Gospel: the words of Simeon to Our Blessed Mother. He foretells the great destiny of her son, while speaking of a future which will be filled with suffering—not just the Son’s suffering, but the mother’s as well: and your own heart a sword shall pierce.
Those who love Christ share his sufferings, and no one loved Jesus more than his mother. In earlier centuries, this feast was called “Our Lady of Compassion”—the word “Compassion” coming from the latin “to suffer with”. Our hearts stretch, we grow in compassion when we meditate on the sorrows of Mary, on the suffering of Jesus. Growing in compassion means stretching the heart to include greater awareness of the suffering of others.
The other Gospel we could have used was from the crucifixion in John’s Gospel: Jesus speaking to Our Lady and the beloved disciple from the cross—Our Lady standing at the foot of the cross. At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last.
Jesus tells the beloved disciple to take Mary as his mother, and in doing so, gives Mary as mother to all of his beloved disciples throughout the centuries. We are invited to share in our mother’s joy, in her wisdom, we are invited to know her maternal protection. But like any child who sees his mother weeping, we also share in her sorrows.
The founding pastor of our parish, Fr .Fitzgerald, had a great devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, which is why her statue stands near the sanctuary.
It is sad to think of how many Christians do not know the motherhood of Mary, which I’m sure is one reason why our Mother weeps. When the grandkids or nieces and nephews come over to visit, pray the rosary with them, teach them of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady, for the younger generations who do not know Mary are in danger of have stilted, colder hearts, as we all are when we fail to love Our Mother as we should.
Pope St. John Paul II wrote: “Turn your eyes incessantly to the Blessed Virgin; she, who is the Mother of Sorrows and also the Mother of Consolation, can understand you completely and help you. Looking to her, praying to her, you will obtain that your tedium will become serenity, your anguish change into hope, and your grief into love.”
During the remainder of the day, let us reflect upon the sufferings of the Mother of God. May the tears of Mary give us more compassionate hearts, and keep us faithful to her Son, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For the Church in every place; that, by calling to mind the sorrow of the Blessed Virgin Mary upon hearing the prophecy of Simeon, she may offer comfort to all who advance in this life
along a path of obscurity and suffering.
For the leaders of nations; that, by remembering the sorrow of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt,
they may be moved to care for refugees and for all who are obliged to flee from war and persecution.
For parents anguishing over their children; that, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and of Saint Joseph who were anguished by the disappearance of Jesus for three days, they may put their all their confidence in the Father.
For all who bear the cross of suffering; that, like Jesus bearing His cross, they may encounter the Mother of Sorrows on the way, and be sustained by her compassion.
For widows mourning the death of a beloved spouse; that, by turning to Our Lady, the Virgin Widow of Saint Joseph, they may be comforted in their solitude and inspired to go forward with courage and trust in God.
For all priests; that in the daily offering of the Holy Sacrifice, they may discover the nearness of the Mother of Sorrows and, like Saint John, take her into their homes.
For ourselves; that, by remembering the sorrow of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the entombment of her Son, we may be strengthened in hope and learn from her to wait in silence for the light of the resurrection, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.
May we be aided at your Mercy Seat, Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the hour of our death, by the pleading of the Blessed Virgin Mary, your Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced, in the hour of your sufferings, by a sword of sorrow. Who live and reign forever and ever.
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