MOTHER OF SORROWS

The Holy Bible says, “….and angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph said, “Herod will be looking for the child in order to kill him.”  (Matt 2:13)

Let us take this as an excellent time to meditate on the necessity of suffering in a Christian life. . “Since we are His children, we will possess the blessings He keeps for His people, and we will also possess with Christ, what God has kept for Him; for if we share Christ’s suffering we will also share His glory.”(Rom 8:17).

After we experience the sorrow of Good Friday we rejoice in the everlasting joy of Easter, the day our Lord conquered death!  The scriptures testify that many people suffered for the sake of God to realize that our sufferings in whatever manner is not in vain but should be offered to God as a sacrifice as Jesus Himself did.  St. Peter explains very well, “For to this you have been called because Christ also suffered for you leaving you an example so that you might follow in His steps.”  (1 Peter 2:21)

The letter from James also clearly says, “My brothers, remember the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  Take them as an example of patient endurance under suffering.”  (James 5:10) 

It is important to identify the nature of suffering to appreciate and understand the Gospel.  This is not a hopeless suffering. It is true that under the immense stress of the suffering some would even ask “Why only me?” or complain to God, “Ever since I was young I have suffered and been near death.”  (Psalms)  Lord Jesus also cried out, “My God, my God why did you abandon Me?” (Matt. 27:46)  Though they put up a question to God, they also realized that suffering produces endurance. 

The Lord has not forgotten to forecast about suffering.  “I am telling the truth you will cry and weep, but the world will be glad; you will be sad; but your sadness will turn into gladness.”  (John 16:20) 

Since suffering is mingled in His promise, it is wise to pause and think why we suffer while some others who do not follow the Lord flourish and seem to be full of joy.  Yes it is a reasonable question.  But if you think too deeply you will realize that such joys apart from God are temporal in nature.

For example, the parable of rich man who flourished while the poor Lazarus perished. Lazarus died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the feast in heaven.  The rich man died and was buried and in Hades where he was in great pain.  (Refer to Luke 16)

Let us turn our attention to our beloved Mother whose life here on earth was full of anguish and sorrow.

While the presentation of her son Jesus in the temple, Simeon a good God fearing man who was lead by the Spirit went into the temple and blessed the child and said to His mother, “…..and sorrow like a sharp sword, will break your own heart.”  (Luke 2:35) 

Then the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said, “….and angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph said, “Herod will be looking for the child in order to kill him. Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt” (Matt 2 : 13). 

Here the fear of enemy, anxiety and pain of journey struck like a sharp sword pierced her heart. 

Again when Jesus was twelve years old after the festival, the parents left the temple and Jesus stayed back.  After they traveled one whole day, they recognized the child was not with them.  Here again the mother’s anxiety, fear, and guilt like a sharp sword pierced her heart. 

When Lord Jesus was condemned to death, the persecutions which Her Son received reminded her again the words of Simeon.  The anguish and love with which she did stood at the cross of Jesus, as well as the last three hours while she strengthened her son, even her heart was pierced over and again, wasn’t she interceding to the Almighty Father for the atonement of the sins of the world.

The Most Holy and afflicted Virgin, standing beneath the Cross of Her sinless and righteous Son who became a victim of cursed death and there again sorrow like a sharp sword pierced her heart.

When the lifeless body of Her Son was laid in Her arms there the moments when all the events right from the day of annunciation till Calvary was reflected as in a mirror.  In silence of Her Holy Saturday’s praise that God expects from humanity, prior to revealing His glory.  Our Mother is a Goddess of grief and sorrows, and God is a God of pain.  When we approach Her or Him remember She freely placed herself in total harmony, fully co-operating with the life and action of her son.  So through Her help, let us offer our gaze, heart, thoughts, feelings, desires and aspirations to her son Jesus for the future glory of God our Father.

Let us join our hands

O! Mother of Mercy, who having so deeply drunk of the chalice of your son can compassionate the sorrows of those who still sigh in the land of exile.  O! Holy Mary, whose soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow, intercedes for us to have a graceful heart like unto Thine which can steadily follow your Son. O! Mary, Landlady of KLWC spread ahead heavenly blessings all over the world before the work of wicked enemy.  Mother of Sorrows save the departed souls in purgatory and comfort their loved ones. AMEN!