Memorial of Our
Lady of Sorrows
(I Corinthians 11:17-26.33; John 19:25-27)
Reading the passion of Jesus in John, we don’t find any
tears. It is hard not to imagine a
mother weeping for a dying son, but that is not how this gospel depicts the
scene. In truth the account does not
mention what Mary or the others are doing.
It focuses on Jesus as the one who even in death directs all the action.
Jesus presents his beloved disciple to his mother and his
mother to him. This is the Church’s beginning. Indeed, the scene can be truthfully called “another
Pentecost.” In just a moment the gospel
will specify that Jesus hands over his Spirit.
There is none there to receive it but these two and the two other women
who love Jesus dearly.
We have joined this communion of love. Whether or not there were tears at the cross,
there are moments of sorrow in our lives.
We “weep with those who weep” to give them comfort. But more than that, we rejoice with everyone
because the same Jesus is delivering us from our sins. He is shaping us to be like himself so that
when we die, we will know his glory.
