Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
Readings: 1Cor. 12:12-14 | Ps. 100:1b-5 | Jn. 19:25-27
Today the scriptures call us to integrity, that is, to live the life of the Christian without wavering. Paul is calling the Corinthians to recognize that they cannot participate in the worship of pagan gods and also participate in the Worship of God through the celebration of the Breaking of the Bread and the Blessing of the Bread and Wine to become the Body and Blood of Christ.
We celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows today. Surely, Mary was a woman filled with great joy for all that God did for her. She received many graces. As Mother of Jesus, she had to be filled with many sorrows as well. The sorrows included watching Jesus being ridiculed by the leaders of the Jews, being hated for His good deeds, and most importantly in watching Him die on the Cross. Losing a child is excruciating for any mother, but watching your Son die on the Cross has to be torture. Today we celebrate Mary’s gift to us. Her suffering has won great graces for us. We are the beneficiaries.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gifts Mary to us through His symbolic gift of Mary as Mother to John. Mary has a special place in the heart of God. Ask Mary to help you with all your needs. Ask her for the graces you need to be faithful to God. Spend time in prayerful gratitude to Mary for all she suffered for us.