Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

“Pietà”
by El Greco, 1575

Alternate Proper for the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Readings for the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows (Ordinary)[1][2]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible (Note – Universalis has posted the incorrect Gospel for the day.  For the Jerusalem Bible translations for the correct Gospel options, go to this link.)

Readings and Commentary:[3]

Reading 1: 1 Timothy 4:12-16

Beloved:

Let no one have contempt for your youth,

but set an example for those who believe,

in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching.

Do not neglect the gift you have,

which was conferred on you through the prophetic word

with the imposition of hands by the presbyterate.

Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them,

so that your progress may be evident to everyone.

Attend to yourself and to your teaching;

persevere in both tasks,

for by doing so you will save

both yourself and those who listen to you.

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Commentary on 1 Tm 4:12-16

In this selection from St. Paul’s Letter we hear the evangelist instructing St. Timothy on his pastoral duties and conduct.  St. Paul urges him to use his God given gifts to their fullest and to set an example for his congregation.  Timothy is reminded that what was conferred upon him through the imposition of hands by the presbyterate, the Holy Spirit will lead he and those he serves to salvation.

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111:7-8, 9, 10

R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!

The works of his hands are faithful and just;

sure are all his precepts,

Reliable forever and ever,

wrought in truth and equity.

R. How great are the works of the Lord!

He has sent deliverance to his people;

he has ratified his covenant forever;

holy and awesome is his name.

R. How great are the works of the Lord!

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

prudent are all who live by it.

His praise endures forever.

R. How great are the works of the Lord!

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Commentary on Ps 111:7-8, 9, 10

We continue with Psalm 111, a song of praise. Creation and salvation flow from the Heavenly Father and his faithful rejoice in his promise.

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Gospel:

First Option: John 19:25-27

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 there whom he loved

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 into his home.

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Commentary on Jn 19:25-27

Here is Jesus’ last address to his mother. Although the address sounds unnecessarily formal ("Woman, behold, your son.") this would have been considered a polite address in biblical times.  The reference, “Woman”, is possibly to Genesis 3:15 which describes the mother of the Messiah as the “woman” whose offspring conquers the devil (CCC 726, 2618)[4]. The Lord, nearing the end of his life commends the care of his mother to the disciple whom he loved. It is presumed this is done because Jesus has no brothers of sisters.  In this instance, while it can be assumed that this disciple is St. John, the author, this tender consignment of the care of the Lord’s mother is seen as iconic, that is she is given into the care of all of the disciples whom Jesus loves.  Seeing her Son dying upon the cross is one of the seven sorrows the Blessed Mother endured in faith.

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OR

Second Option: Luke 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."

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Commentary on Lk 2:33-35

In this passage we hear Simeon’s prediction.  Simeon is a man, we are told earlier, who “was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel”. He was told by the Holy Spirit that he would not pass away until he had seen the Messiah. He has declared that this promise has been fulfilled and then turns to Mary and makes the prediction about the nature of Christ’s ministry and the nature of the sorrow she will endure, “and you yourself a sword will pierce” The sword indicates that Mary will have a share in her Son’s sufferings; hers will be an unspeakable pain which pierces her soul.  Our Lord suffered on the cross for our sins, and it is those sins which forge the sword of Mary’s pain.[5]

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Reflection:

How often have we all encountered individuals who have had tremendous pain in their lives and as a consequence, first blamed God for their sorrows, and then denied him out of their desolation of spirit?  Indeed, have we not all had situations in our lives in which circumstances of health or events have conspired to force us to question God’s motives?  At such times, the Lord, in his infinite wisdom and mercy, has left us with examples of faith to strengthen us and assure us that his strength can flow in us if we but put our trust in him.

Of course the archetype of this strength is our Holy Mother, Mary.  We especially see her virtue as we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows in which we recall the “sword of sorrow” which pierced her heart.  Not only once was this sword unsheathed to stab viciously at the Virgin Queen of Heaven, but seven such strikes are measured.  Significantly, in Hebrew numerology, this number “7” is the perfect number.  It signifies completeness, hence, when we think of the seven sorrows of Mother Mary, we seek to understand her complete faith in the face of perfect sorrow; accepted with perfect grace, responded to with perfect love of God and His Only Son.

Any parent can appreciate the acute pain the Virgin Mother suffered as the “dolours” unfold.

•at the prophecy of Simeon;

•at the flight into Egypt;

•having lost the Holy Child at Jerusalem;

•meeting Jesus on his way to Calvary;

•standing at the foot of the Cross;

•Jesus being taken from the Cross;

•at the burial of Christ.

Consider how her anxiety must have increased as each event was amplified in the next; culminating in the worst fear of any parent, the humiliation and cruel death of her child, carried out in front of her.  In her powerlessness we can only imagine the despair she felt; yet not for herself, as we would and not even for her son, but for those who condemned themselves by rejecting their own salvation.

Today, as we recall the sword of Simeon and its painful impact on Holy Mary, let us ask her to intercede for us to her Son, that we might be given a share of her spirit of holiness and so be able to overcome our sorrows which pale in significance when measured against hers.

Pax

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[1] ALTRE (First Reading and Psalm)

[2] The picture is “Pietà” by El Greco, 1575

[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.

[4] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. pp. 198

[5] The Navarre Bible, Gospels and Acts, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, pp.363