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.
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.
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.
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.’
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.
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.
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Mary’s faith
Today, let us contemplate Mother Mary as she stood at the foot of the cross. There, at the cross, Mary is an icon of faith. Her faith in God led her to believe that suffering and death would not have the final victory, and thus, she trusted even though her heart was filled with sadness at the sight of her tortured Son. Her faith in God filled her heart with compassionate love. Unlike the rest of Jesus’ disciples, she did not run away from Jesus in His moment of anguish. She stayed and suffered with Him.
Today, let us humbly ask Mother Mary to share with us her faith. A faith that continues to trust in God, no matter the sufferings that come our way. A faith that makes us compassionate and draws us close to the people around us as they bear their heavy crosses. Mary, Mother of Sorrows, teaches us that our faith becomes incarnated when we are one with the sufferings of those we love and the people in the world. Today, let us try our best to reach out to someone we know who is suffering and pray for victims of violence.
Reflective question:
How can I imitate Mother Mary’s trusting and compassionate faith?
How can I imitate Mother Mary’s trusting and compassionate faith?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
