Throughout the month of September so far, I have been using
as part of our general intercessions a petition to Our Lady of Sorrows, whose
feast we celebrate today: that through her intercession the grieving may know
the consolation of God, and that all of us might grieve sufficiently for our sins.
From her unique place in the economy of grace and the plan
of God, Our Lady uniquely intercedes for the grieving. Seven times in her life,
her heart was pierced with sorrow—we speak of the seven sorrows of Mary. And so
she has a special compassion for the grieving. Those who grieve never make a
mistake in seeking her intercession—like children running to their mother after
enduring physical harm or an emotional fright. We bring to her the wounds
endured—the wounds of loss—the broken heartedness and shattered earthly hopes
that we experience in this valley of tears—this mortal life.
And yet, she also prays constantly for us, who do not grieve
sufficiently, that is, for our sins. Her son was born to die for us, he
sufferings were on account of our sins. It pains her when we do not weep
sufficiently for the sins which led to our separation from God, which led to
Christ’s brutal crucifixion.
Saint John Paul II referred many times to our culture’s
“loss of the sense of sin”. When we
slough off sin, pretend that it doesn’t matter, claiming that “everyone does
it, so it must be okay.” But no, sin is
abhorrent to the goodness of God. And rarely do we sufficiently grieve over the
great loss of grace which our sins bring. Mary mourns for those who refuse to
look upon the crucifix with contrite hearts.
Mary mourns for the baptized who so often continue to choose the empty
promises of the Evil One rather than the life-filled promises of Christ.
Mourning over sin is the road to beatitudes—blessed are
those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. For only when we mourn our sins
sufficiently, can we really appreciate what Jesus did for us. Psalm 30 speaks
of God’s promise to turn our mourning into joyful dancing.
Here at St. Ignatius, Our Legion of Mary is dedicated
especially to Our Lady of Sorrows, so this is a special feast for our parish.
Members of the Legion and all of us have a special duty to pray for the grieving
and to go to their side: to go the grieving, to bedside of the dying, to attend
wakes and funerals with those who grieve their deceased relatives and friends.
And also the special duty to pray for those who do not grieve their sins—and to
go to their side—to approach families members and members of our parish who
have stopped going to Church, who do not go to the Sacrament of Confession, to
invite them home.
May we never hesitate to turn to our Lady in times of grief,
and to ask her intercession to help us grieve and repent rightly, that with
her, who participated in the Passion of her Son, may merit with her a share in
the resurrection, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
For our newly installed Bishop, that Our Lady’s intercession
might bring him great assistance in the great responsibility and challenge of
shepherding the diocese of Cleveland.
That our young people may be blessed to be raised in homes
where the Gospel is shared, cherished, and practiced.
During this month of September dedicated especially to Our
Lady of Sorrows, we pray for those who grieve, and that we might grieve
sufficiently for our sins.
For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing
homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather,
those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those
with addictions, the imprisoned, the unchaste, for the comfort of the dying and
the consolation of their families.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and
parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious,
and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord,
and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through
Christ our Lord.
