Mercifully Treated

September 15, 2007

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. 1Timothy 1:15-16

“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 2:34-35

Piety

Father, as your Son was nailed onto the cross, his mother Mary stood by him, sharing his sufferings We believe in the love of God for us. To believe in love is everything. It is not enough to believe in the Truth. We must believe in Love and Love is our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. That is the faith that makes our Lord loved. Ask for this pure and simple faith in the Eucharist. Men will teach you; but only Jesus will give you the grace to believe in Him. You have the Eucharist. What more do you want?

-- St. Peter Julian Eymard

Help us to be united with Jesus and Mary in the suffering and death and so come to share in his rising to new life, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/091507.shtml

The few interactions that the Gospels record between Jesus and Mary present a puzzling picture that reveals a seemingly less-than-obedient son when talking with his Mother. How can this be? If Jesus were really the Son of God, wouldn’t he treat his mother better?

Jesus’ divinity will not and does not take a second seat to any relationship, especially that with his mother. Jesus knows that Mary will weep a lifetime of tears in facing the sorrows that will befall her as the mother of the Church.

Mary will be touched by the various reactions to the role of Jesus. Her blessedness as mother of the Lord will be challenged by her son who describes true blessedness as “hearing the word of God and observing it” (Luke 11:27-28 and Luke 8:20-21). Yet, this phrase exactly describes Mary’s response to God’s message. More than any other person in the entire salvation history, Mary is the prime example of putting oneself fully at the service and disposal of God.

The principal biblical references to Mary's sorrows are in the two alternate readings for today: Luke 2:35 is Simeon's prediction about a sword piercing Mary's soul; John 19:26-27. The Lucan passage the Johanine passage relates Jesus' words to Mary and to the beloved disciple.

Many early Church writers interpret the sword that pierced Jesus’ side as representing Mary's sorrows, especially as she saw her son die on the cross. Thus, the two passages are brought together as prediction and fulfillment.

St. Ambrose in particular sees Mary as a sorrowful yet powerful figure at the cross. Mary stood fearlessly at the cross while others fled. Mary looked on her Son's wounds with pity, but saw in them the salvation of the world. As Jesus hung on the cross, Mary did not fear to be killed but offered herself to her persecutors. But they never laid a hand upon her.

Action

There are many examples of people who (for a time) said, “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.” However, there are no examples of anyone who did it as young, as often and as consistently as Mary did. Her heart was pierced by the sword foretold by Simeon as Mary stood at the foot of the Cross on which Jesus hung. The complete list of her seven sorrows are:

• The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
• The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
• Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50)
• Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)
• Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
• The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)
• The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)

Mary said, “Yes!” when she was called upon by Gabriel. And she kept saying yes to God throughout her life. She endured Jesus terse reply when addressing her young son in the temple. Then, she admonished him to do something to save the soon-to-be embarrassed host in Cana. Even outside the door to the house where Jesus was preaching in, it seemed Jesus put other people and qualities before her.

However, I see it differently. The message in this mother-son relationship was that “Attentiveness to God's word is more important than biological relationship to Jesus.” That attentiveness also extends to our relationship with God and with our family – a family Jesus calls us to leave behind as we march in solidarity our brother and sister.

How can you say a resounding “yes” through your actions today?