Read : Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows By Fr. Donatus Pallu

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Read

1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a
Ps 100
Jn 19:25-27

“All Hail the King” was the exclamation of the town crier as the Victorious King entered the city from battle. The Queen mother was filled with pride on the account of the glories of her son. Everything was going on well for her. She walked with a certain spring in her legs. Her chin was always high and duly supported by her shoulders. Yes, she was a happy and proud Queen mother all because of her son.

Can this description be applied to the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY?

Let’s answer by journeying with her through the Bible.

1. A young betrothed virgin who was found to be pregnant. And she claimed it was not by man but by the Holy Spirit.
2. Her would-be husband wanted to divorce her in secret. Her fate would be stoning to death.
3. She gave birth in a stable. What a smelly place to give birth to the King of Kings.

Now things become worse.

4. An old man (Simeon) prophesies that a sword shall pierce her soul when she entered the temple for the purification of herself and the dedication of baby Jesus.
5. Herod vows and decrees the massacre of the little children so as to have baby Jesus eliminated. Mary and Joseph must flee with Jesus to Egypt. Hmmmm, what a life?
6. Jesus gives Mary and Joseph a run for their money by staying back in Jerusalem. His parents concluded that he was lost. Imagine the state of Mary within the 3 days of Jesus’ “nowhere-to-be-found-ness”.
7. Thirty-three years later, Mary beholds her son carrying his Cross for a shameful death.
8. The prophecy of Simeon is then fulfilled when Jesus died on the Cross. The Queen has lost her Son and with that her title. She is now the Queen mother of the Useless King who died a shameful death on a Cross.
9. She could not bear the pain when the lifeless body of her son laid in her arms.
10. She buries her son, when it was the duty of sons to bury their parents.

Beloved, from the above, what will our answer be?
Mary is truly THE LADY OF SORROWS.

Beloved, are we also in sorrow? Have we nowhere to seek for help in our sorrow?

Beloved, Jesus knew what his mother had gone through. He knew what John the Beloved Disciple was going through and he knows what we are going through now. That’s why he gives his Mother to us. Jesus gave us an experienced Woman who will guide us in our Sorrows. He asks us to BEHOLD HIS MOTHER. He wants us to take Mary to our homes so that we can learn from her.

How I wish we will all have the strength of Mother Mary (especially my Non-Catholic friends). Mary has so much to teach us. Kindly find time and read all the scripture passages that talk about Mary. Meditate on them and you will be amazed how strong, helpful and powerful she is?

“Lord Jesus, through the Sorrows of your Mother Mary, may we learn to deal with our sorrows.”

By Rev Fr. Donatus Pallu

*Cast Into Deep*

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