Reflection on Today's Readings and the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrow, September 15th, 2020
Texts: Heb.5:7-9; Ps. 31:1-5.14-15.19; John 19:25-27
Today, we celebrate the participation of our Lady, mother Mary, in the passion of her Son, the Saviour of the world. Simeon foresaw it when he said, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, and a sword will pierce your own soul also that thought of many hearts may be revealed". St. Bernard comments on the words, saying, "Blessed Mother, a sword pierce your soul. For no sword could penetrate your Son's flesh without piercing your soul". Our lady experienced torment of the soul.
Today's gospel reading tells us that Our Lady stood at the foot of the Cross, beholding her Son in his passion. The case presented in the gospel reading is the case of mother sharing from her son's passion. Church, in her reflection, says, "The Blessed Virgin advanced in her prilgrimage of faith , and loyally persevered in her union with her Son unto the Cross. There she stood, in keeping with the divine plan (cf. Jn 19, 25), suffering greviously with her only-begotten Son. There she united with her maternal heart to his sacrifice, and lovingly consented to the immolation of this victim which she herself had brought forth" (LG no. 58).
The first reading reminds us of Our Lady's fiat: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word. Our Lady learned obedience through suffering and became co-redemptor.
St. Bernard comments that the word, 'Mother, behold your son' was a wound in the heart of Our Lady. He puts it thus: "'Mother, behold your son'. These words were more painful than a sword thrust for they pierced your soul and touched the quick where soul is divided from spirit. What an exchange! John was given to you in place of Jesus, a disciple in place of the master, a son of Zebedee in place of the Son of God, mere man in place of the true God. These words must have pierced your loving soul, since just to recall them breaks our hearts, hard and stony though they may be". St. Bernard describes the pain of a loss that is incomparable with what replaces it.
St. Bernard also shows how the words of Simeone came to pass at the Cross. He says, "the cruel lance, which opened his side and would not spare him in death though it could do him no injury, could not touch his soul. But it pierced your soul. His soul was no longer there, but yours could not be set free, and it was pierced by a sword of Sorrow. We rightly speak of you as more than martyr, for the anguish of mind you suffered exceeded all bodily pain". In dead the soul of Jesus Christ was no longer there, it was Our Lady that bore the pain of the sword in her soul as she stood beholding the sword passing through her Son's side.
Today's celebration brings to mind the need of obedience and sacrifice in our journey of faith. Just like St. Paul we are to fill up what is lacking in the suffering of Jesus Christ by accepting daily challenges our faith throws at us (Col. 1:24). As Christians we are called to participate in the suffering of Jesus Christ so as to participate in his glory (1Pet. 4:13).
Lord our God, give us the courage and fortitude to accept the challenges our faith always throw at us, and patience to bear it. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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