Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
Readings:
Hebrew 5:7-9
John 19:25-27 (Luke 2:33-35)
Reflection:
There are two alternative passages for the memorial mass of Our Lady of Sorrows, one from John and the other from Luke. According to John, our Lady, other ladies and the beloved disciple were standing near the cross. According to Luke, the parents of the infant child were with Simeon. I suppose they are standing to receive the blessing and the words from Simeon too.
The standing posture at either the ending or the beginning of Jesus’s life on earth while He is lying on the cross or on His mother’s arm really struck me. Standing is not stopping to relax or doing something like sitting down. Standing is not running to do something or enjoying a workout. In my personal experience, standing is a posture of being prepared! Being prepared for whatever happens in life. It can be an ending or a beginning.
The ending or beginning of a journey is not essential, but standing with Jesus Christ is more privileged. Standing to be with Jesus on the cross, to listen to His words: “This is your mother” (John 19:27) like the beloved disciple. After that, we can make a place for her and everybody else in our home and our lives. Standing to be with Jesus when his mother receives the prophecies: “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel …” (Luke 2:34).
Will we fall or rise? We may take the rising like standing, so will we fall or stand?
I hope we can fall in love with God through the Passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and always stand to be ready or be prepared for the journey with God.
JD Tân T CP is a Vietnamese Passionist who lives and studies further at the Holy Cross Retreat, Templestowe.