Monday, September 15, 2003
Our Lady of Sorrows

1st Reading: Heb 5:7-9
Gospel: Jn 19:25-27

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister Mary, who was the wife of Cleophas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw the Mother, and the disciple whom he loved, he said to the Mother, "Woman, this is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "There is your mother." And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home.

Commentary

"Woman, this is your son!" If there is a person who feels what a child suffers, it is no other than the mother. On the cross, it was not only Jesus who was crucified. Mary was also crucified just by looking at the tremendous pain and suffering of her son. When Jesus died on the cross, Mary also experienced the bitterness of death. Jesus entrusted to Mary his disciples and the disciples after them. Mary feels the agony and pain of the present day disciples. We can come to her for comfort, we can ask for her prayers, we can come to her for strength to face the difficulties of life. On the cross, Jesus gifted us with a spiritual mother who truly cares for us. A mother who will always bring us to the Son who is able to make wine out of water, the wine of joy and salvation. Hail Mary, mother of God and our mother, pray for us...

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