September 15, 2014

Our Lady of Sorrows

September 15, 2014:  Our Lady of Sorrows


  • 'Abacus' tie pin:  "I hear that when you meet there are 'divisions' among you" (1st reading; you can divide on an abacus)
  • 'Wheat' pin:  "Jesus took and broke bread" (1st reading)
  • 'Grapes' pin:  "This cup is the new covenant in my Blood....  As often as you... drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes." (1st reading)
  • 'Signs' tie:  “This child is... to be a sign that will be contradicted,..." (gospel)
  • 'Sword' tie pin:  "...and a sword will pierce through you" (gospel)
  • White shirt:  color of today's memorial
  • Brown suspenders, slacks, sandals, socks:  wood of the Cross (gospel, plus yesterday)
Our Mother of Sorrows icon
Hours of Music
Pope Francis Homily
We're shown the glorious Cross, then the humble Mother.  Jesus "learned, obeyed and suffered," the opposite of what happened to Adam.  Jesus, though God, humbled himself and became a servant.  He came here to learn how to be a person and walk with people.  He came to obey, learning obedience from suffering.  Adam left Paradise with a promise; today, through Jesus' obedience, the promise becomes hope.  We walk with hope.  Mary learned, suffered and obeyed to participate in her Son’s journey.
Jesus told John, "Behold your mother."  This is our hope:  not orphans, we have Mothers:  Mary and Mother Church, anointed when it takes Jesus and Mary's path of obedience and suffering and when she learns the Lord's path.  Both women carry on hope, give us Christ, and bring forth Christ in us.  Without Mary, there would be no Christ; without the Church, we can't go forward.  Two women, two mothers, and our soul, which is "feminine" and like "Mary and the Church" (Bl. Isaac of Stella).  Looking at Mary, steadfast in following her Son in suffering to learn obedience, we see the Church and our Mother.  We'll never be lost if we stay close to Mary and the Church.  And just as our ancestors left Paradise with a promise, we can go forward with the hope our Mothers give us.
Read

  • 1 Cor 11:17-26, 33  Your meetings are doing harm; there are divisions among you.  Jesus took bread, broke it, and said, “This is my Body, for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.”  He also took the cup:  “This is the new covenant in my Blood.  Do this in remembrance of me.”  As often as you do, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.  Wait for one another.
  • Ps 40:7-10, 17  "Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again."  You wanted obedience, not oblation.  “I come to do your will."  May all who seek you exult in you.
Wordle: Readings 9-15-14
  • Jn 19:25-27  Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved, he told his mother, “Behold, your son,” and the disciple, “Behold, your mother.”  The disciple took her into his home.
  • Lk 2:33-35  Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what was said about him.  Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “This child is destined for the fall and rise of many, and to be a sign that will be contradicted, and you a sword will pierce so the thoughts of many may be revealed.”
Reflect
    • Creighton:  Jesus' death is the supreme example of God’s love, so to "proclaim the Lord’s death" proclaims his love.  We can only proclaim it to the extent we've received it.  Once God's mercy pierces our hearts, it opens up a river can flow to others in need.  Recall when God's mercy has touched you so you can proclaim it.
    • One Bread One Body:  When hurt, we can close ourselves to the one who hurt us and to others, but when Mary was hurt, she opened herself up to others even more (Acts 1:14).  When she was pierced with sorrow, she opened others' hearts too, so that "the thoughts of many hearts were laid bare."  With God's help we too can react to hurt with openness instead of unforgiveness, resentment, anger, or fear....
    • Passionist:  Paul's letters don't name Mary; probably she alive and in her 60's and they never met.  Maybe the 1st reading (about the Lord's Supper) is to remind us how Mary participated in it after Jesus died.  We can ask her to help us appreciate the Eucharist better.
    • DailyScripture.net:  The cross brings us face to face with Jesus' suffering.  Most deserted him, but Mary and three other women stayed; love overcomes fear and gives hope in grief.  When Jesus was presented in the temple, Simeon predicted Mary would suffer.  Bernard of Clairvaux:  Jesus "died in body through a love greater than anyone had known.  [Mary] died in spirit through a love unlike any other since his."  Mary's faith and hope were sustained by her trust in God and her love for her Son.
    Special greetings to and prayers for the communities at...
    Posted by at

    No comments:

    Post a Comment

    Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)