Bible
Study: 1ST Corinthians 15, 1
to 11 and John 19, 25 to 27.
Today’s
feast dear friends is a sequel to that of yesterday. If it is true that Jesus
suffered the pain of the cross, then we cannot deny the fact that Mary suffered
even a greater pain just watching her beloved son suffer. In the Stations of
the Cross, we noted: “It is harder to watch the pains of those we love than to
bear our own pains.” When we are going through difficulties, it is those who
love us that suffer most.
And so, just
as we reflected on the exaltation of the Cross yesterday, it only follows that
today we reflect on the sorrows of Mary who stood beside her Son in his moments
of agony, scourging at the pillar, carrying on the cross and crucifixion. She remained
even while his close friends, the disciples fled for their dear lives.
Just as we
examined the seven words, Jesus spoke on the cross yesterday, we shall consider
the seven sorrows of Mary today.
1. First
Sorrow of Mary - The prophecy of Simeon at the Presentation of Jesus in the
Temple. Luke 2, 22 to 35.
… Simeon
blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "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 through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many
hearts may be revealed.
2. Second
Sorrow of Mary - The flight into Egypt. Matthew 2, 13 to 21.
When the
Magi had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.
He said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and
remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to
destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night, and
departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod.
3. Third
Sorrow of Mary - Finding of Jesus in the Temple. Luke 2, 41 to 50.
After
three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening
to them and asking them questions. His mother said to him, "Son, why have
you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you
anxiously." He said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you
not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
4. Fourth
Sorrow of Mary - Mary meets Jesus on the way to the cross. John 19, 1; Luke 23,
26 to 32.
And there
followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and
lamented him.
5. Fifth
Sorrow of Mary - Jesus Dies on the Cross. Mark 15, 22; John 19, 18, 25 to 27; Luke
23, 46.
Standing
by the cross of Jesus were his Mother, and his Mother's sister, Mary the wife
of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom
he loved standing near, he said to his mother “Woman, behold, your son!” Then
he said to the disciple, “Behold, your Mother!” And from that hour the disciple
took her to his own home. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “E'lo-i,
E'lo-i, la'ma sabach-tha'ni?” which means, “My God, my God, why hast thou
forsaken me?”
6. Sixth
Sorrow of Mary - Mary receives the dead body of her son. John 19, 31 to 34, 38;
Lamentations 1, 12.
After this
Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate that he might
take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away
his body.
7. Seventh
Sorrow of Mary - Jesus is laid in the tomb. Matthew 27, 59; John 19, 38 to 42;
Mark 15, 46; Luke 27, 55 to 56.
They took
the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the
burial custom of the Jews…So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the
tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there... The women who had come with
him from Galilee followed, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid. Then
they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
If you
agree that Mary actually carried Jesus in her womb for nine months and went
through labour pains to have him, I do not know of any mother that would not
feel a thing while watching her innocent son go through all of these.
Whatever
our present sorrows in this life may be, let us be consoled that we have a
mother who was no stranger to sorrow and reach out for our rosary in asking for
her intercession.
Let us
Pray:
O Holy
Mary, pray for me now and at the hour of my death. Amen.
Good morning.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.
Fr. Abu
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