The Sorrows of Today
Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. In my homily, I spoke about the importance of this feast in a world where shootings and violence are growing in number.
Today, September 15th, we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Recognizing the sorrows Mary faced as the mother of Jesus, there are seven experiences of her sorrow, six of which are explicitly found in the Bible. I wonder how many tears Mary shed at these events. I wonder how many tears the Blessed Virgin Mary sheds today as our mother.
The first sorrow of Mary is the prophecy of Simeon. When Mary and Joseph went with baby Jesus to the Temple for the prescribed rites, they met Simeon who spoke to them about what would happen. “The child’s 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” (Luke 2:33-35).
One might have thought it would be easy to be the mother of Jesus. He is the Son of God. One might have thought He would be the perfect child. No mother today would wish on her infant what Jesus would face.
The second sorrow of Mary is the flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15). So much for thinking it would be easy to be the mother of Jesus. Almost immediately after his birth, the Holy Family had to flee to Egypt to protect Jesus from King Herod. I wonder what Mary thinks of families that need to flee as refugees today. Do you remember the exodus of families from Ukraine when the Russian attacks began? What about the families who have been forced to leave their homes in Gaza? What about those who come to the United States as refugees? Mary weeps and prays for them. Do you?
The third sorrow of Mary was the loss of Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50). Imagine the distress in Mary (and Joseph’s) heart. Have you ever experienced a time when you didn’t know where your child was? How stressed were you? Imagine if your child was missing for three days. Think of families today whose children are missing for days, months, or even years. Mary weeps and prays for them. Do you?
The fourth sorrow of Mary was when she met him on his way to Calvary. Mary, as Jesus’ mother, was present with him in his suffering. Imagine the mothers (and fathers) today who accompany a child through suffering. Think of the parents today who see their child suffer a mental illness and/or a radicalization that leads them to commit an act of violence. Mary weeps and prays for them. Do you?
The fifth sorrow of Mary is the Crucifixion and death of Jesus (John 19:25-30). Mary remained at the foot of Jesus through the moment of his death. Think of the innocent victims of shootings or other forms of terrorism. If their death was instant, were they alone? If their death took time, think of their family at their side. Mary weeps and prays for them. Do you?
The sixth sorrow of Mary was when the body of Jesus was taken down from the Cross (John 19:31-37). Think of the families who receive the news of the death of their son or daughter after a shooting or terrorism. Mary weeps and prays for them. Do you?
The seventh sorrow of Mary was the burial of Jesus (John 19:38-42). Imagine Mary’s grief at her son’s burial. Think of the families who bury a child lost to an act of violence. Think of the families who bury a child lost to drug addiction or suicide from mental illness. Mary weeps and prays for them. Do you?
Let us pray that God uses every death that comes from a tragedy to bring about change to stop future tragedies. We do so with the words that begin our first reading today taking from Paul’s First Letter to Timothy.
Beloved:
First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers,
petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,
for kings and for all in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life
in all devotion and dignity.
This is good and pleasing to God our savior,
who wills everyone to be saved
and to come to knowledge of the truth.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff