Our Lady of Sorrows
Friday of week 23 in Ordinary Time
First reading – Hebrews 5:7-9
“Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation”. Today we are celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. The name “Our Lady of Sorrows” invites us into a meditation on the depths of Mary’s heart, a heart that bore witness to unimaginable grief and yet remained steadfast in faith. Traditionally seven sorrows are narrated as recounted by the Scripture. In all Mother Mary’s sorrows, we witness a perfect harmony of her maternal tenderness and her unwavering faith. There is compassion, strength, and hope in the suffering. In suffering, Mary trusts more in the plan of God. In suffering, Mary becomes a consolation for others. In suffering, the grace is strengthened in Mary. When we embrace our sufferings at the side of Mother Mary, when we learn to suffer at the side of Mother Mary, we will learn to trust more in the plan of God, we will become source of consolation, we will embrace the grace. Let’s reflect: How do I deal with my sufferings, with Mary or without Mary?