9/15/14

Gospel                                                                                        LK 2:33-35

Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Reflection

As a parent, it is easy to feel every bump, bruise, scrape, injury and illness of our children. In some ways, the pain that we witness our children enduring elicits more pain than if we were to undergo it ourselves. As a way to make myself feel better (because it most likely doesn't offer any type of salve for either of my two daughters), I have often told them that I would gladly take every ounce of pain that they would ever experience if it meant they wouldn't have to suffer.

Every tear. Every drop of blood. Every arm slammed in a door (tonight), tooth smashed onto the floor (two weeks ago), scraped knee (two months ago, although Elizabeth is still milking that one). I would take it all. 

It's hard for me to relate to Mary in many ways except this. In some ways, she just seems too untouchable. Too calm. Too right. Too motherly. Too quiet. God chose her for a specific purpose and she, according to scripture, responded relatively quickly with a yes. He preserved her from sin, Immaculately Conceived, so that she could bear the Son of Man. Fully human, but fully perfect. 

But, as we celebrate today, she was also full of, and not free from, sorrow. I cannot imagine having to suffer through the loss of a child, even one that is grown, and so I can only faintly empathize with the torture Mary must have encountered watching her only Son suffer death on a Cross. 

It is safe for me to assume, though, that Mary would have taken it all for Jesus if she could have done so. She would have taken every from of ridicule. Every torture. Every nail. Even death on a Cross. All of it. For Him. 

Which, when I think about Mary's sorrow, is probably one of the reasons He was so willing to take all of it - all of it - for us.

"It is here that the father of the family, the mother, children, and all members of the family exercise the priesthood of the baptized in a privileged way "by the reception of the sacraments, prayer and thanksgiving, the witness of a holy life, and self-denial and active charity." Thus the home is the first school of Christian life and "a school for human enrichment." Here one learns endurance and the joy of work, fraternal love, generous - even repeated - forgiveness, and above all divine worship in prayer and the offering of one's life" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1657). 

May Mary intercede on behalf of all who are sorrowful, especially those who are hurting, sick, or grieving and for all families in need of prayers. May Jesus transform this pain into joy and may that joy be complete. 

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.