DAILY- HOMILY

SATURDAY, 23RD Week in Ordinary Time

Our Lady of Sorrows

Memorial. White.

1 Cor 10: 14 - 22. / Optional Sequence Stabat Mater / Lk 2: 33 - 35 [or Jn 19: 25- 27.]

Pope Pius VII extended this devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows to the whole Church in 1814.

GOSPEL READING:           Lk 2: 33 - 35

His father and mother wondered at what was said about the child. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, "See him; he will be for the rise and fall of the multitudes of Israel. He shall stand as a sign of contradiction, while a sword will pierce your own soul. Then the secret thoughts of many may be brought to light."

REFLECTION

Muc h;sbeen said about the virtues and greatness of Mary, Mother of Jesus. She was especially graced by God, even exempted from original sin, on account of her key role as Mother of God-made-man. She is praised for her generous cooperation in God's plan to save mankind.

Today's memorial commemorates Mary's close cooperation and closeness to her Son Jesus, in his passion and suffering, in her being Our Lady of Sorrows. At the presentation of the Child Jesus at the Temple Simeon had prophesized her role and participation in the life and mission of her Suffering Servant Son, that "a sword will pierce your own soul.." (Lk 2: 35)

As we contemplate Our Lady of Sorrows we feel with Mary the pains brought to her by what happened to her Son: the flight into Egypt in the night to escape the envy of the King who wanted to kill the child, the frantic scare of missing the twelve-year old Boy in crowded Jerusalem, meeting and consoling her Son carrying the cross to Golgotha, standing at the foot of the cross below her crucified Son, and cradling her Son's body brought down from the cross. In her pain and sorrow, Mary was a witness and participant in how God worked his mercy through Jesus.

When our faith is tested by pains, difficulties and challenges, may we see God's loving hand helping us. We can surely depend on the care and intercession of Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows and our Mother, to help us through the pain and sorrows to the joy and peace of God's unwavering love and care.

Have a good day!

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