September 15, 2016
Thursday
1st Reading: 1 Cor 15: 1-11
Gospel: Lk 2:33–35 (or Jn 19:25–27)
His father and mother wondered at what was said about the child. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, “See him; he will be for the rise or fall of the multitudes of Israel. He shall stand as a sign of contradiction, while a sword will pierce your own soul. Then the secret thoughts of many may be brought to light.”
D@iGITAL… EXPERIENCE
Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience
The sufferings of Jesus and the sorrows of Mary were so intertwined that it is impossible to reflect on one without meditating on the other. Rightly does today’s feast on the Seven Sorrows of Mary follow yesterday’s feast of the exaltation of the Cross. The Seven Sorrows of Mary banner the intimacy of this relationship. All of Mary’s sorrows revolve around the mysteries of Jesus. They are as follows: Simeon’s prophecy at the Temple, the flight to Egypt, the disappearance of the child Jesus in the Temple, the carrying of the cross to Calvary, the crucifixion, the taking down from the cross, and the burial of Jesus.
These seven sorrows were heavier than any wooden cross to bear. “The joys of (a mother) are secret; and so are (her) grief”, wrote Francis Bacon in his ‘Essays’. No doubt Mary had lots of reasons to rejoice as her Magnificat reveals. But there were many things she could not understand, such as the Loss and Finding of the child Jesus in the Temple. But she kept and pondered everything in her heart.
Mary stood up until the end for that commitment she made at the Annunciation. History found her faithfully standing by Jesus at the cross. It was at the foot of the cross where it became clearer that her partnership with Jesus in suffering was no longer a mother – son affair but a mission involving the whole of humanity. Mary’s role was then expanded to include motherhood for all God’s people. Pointing to John as representative of humanity Jesus said to Mary, “Woman, behold your son” (Jn. 19:25-27).
It was not a sign of disrespect that Jesus addressed her as ‘woman’ instead of ‘mother’. It was in reference to her role as the new Eva, the old one being the woman who begot humanity in sin and was expelled from the Garden of Eden. Now Eva is a thing of the past as Ave Maria takes up the role of motherhood to lead us all to Jesus.
As the Apostle John did, let us take Mary as our mother. Through her our tribulations too can be as united to the sufferings of Jesus as her sorrows. With our suffering we shall then become part of that great partnership that continues to save the world! – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM, MMExM, MAPM, REB. Email: dan.delosangeles@gmail.com.
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