Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings/ but an open ear.
(Psalm 40:7
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother.”
(John 19:26-27)
Here I am, Lord. Please open me to your Word.
My Jesus, you called your mother, “Woman,” when she encouraged you at Cana to work your first miracle. You told her your time had not yet come, but perhaps you were just waiting for her request, as you wait for our faith.
Here, your time has come. You are on the cross, your Sacrifice almost complete. Through your beloved disciple, John, you give Mary to us and us to her.
Father, you gave us your perfect Son, and he gives us his immaculate mother, also without blemish, unstained even by original sin. How can we thank you?
The day isn’t over yet. I will put a statue of Mary on the shelf outside my door. This morning, I sang the “Stabat Mater,” in Latin while watching Mass on TV and in English when I read my prayers. No grief can compare to the sorrows of Mary, and no joy can surpass her reunion with you, once in the temple when you were twelve, again at your Resurrection, and finally when you assumed her into heaven.
Holy Mother, intercede for me as you did for the wedding host. Remind me, again and again, to do whatever he tells me.
God, Father and Creator, you gave your Son, our Savior. Through the Holy Spirit, you give us courage and trust. By the example of Mary, and through her intercession, make us gentle and obedient.
Today, I will pay more attention to whatever interrupts my activities and respond more readily to the faith and works they suggest. Thy will be done.