First reading Hebrews 5:7-9
He learned to obey and he became the source of eternal salvation
During his life on earth, Christ offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation.
Responsorial Psalm 30(31):2-6,15-16,20
Save me, O Lord, in your love.
In you, O Lord, I take refuge.
Let me never be put to shame.
In your justice, set me free,
hear me and speedily rescue me.
Save me, O Lord, in your love.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a mighty stronghold to save me,
for you are my rock, my stronghold.
For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.
Save me, O Lord, in your love.
Release me from the snares they have hidden
for you are my refuge, Lord.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
It is you who will redeem me, Lord.
Save me, O Lord, in your love.
But as for me, I trust in you, Lord;
I say: ‘You are my God.
My life is in your hands, deliver me
from the hands of those who hate me.’
Save me, O Lord, in your love.
How great is the goodness, Lord,
that you keep for those who fear you,
that you show to those who trust you
in the sight of men.
Save me, O Lord, in your love.
Gospel John 19:25-27
‘Woman, this is your son’
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.
________________________
Mary’s sorrow at the cross of her son
When a loved one suffers, we suffer too. For Mary, she rejoiced with Jesus and suffered with Him because she deeply loved her son. Her
greatest suffering was to stand by the cross of Jesus and watched her beloved child died.
greatest suffering was to stand by the cross of Jesus and watched her beloved child died.
As we contemplate Mary standing by Jesus’ cross, she reveals that loving someone implies taking the risk to undergo suffering and pain. If we lock our heart up and try to protect it from being hurt and broken, this will only lead to an impoverished life. We, as Christians, are called to love others, and this includes allowing ourselves to stand by the crosses of others and suffer with them. Today, as we celebrate the feast of Mary of sorrows, let us ask our Mother to give us the strength to love as she did. Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for us!
Question for reflection:
Am I afraid to accept the suffering that loving someone brings?
Am I afraid to accept the suffering that loving someone brings?
