Memorial of Our
Lady of Sorrows
(I Corinthians 15:1-11; John 12:25-27)
In both Matthew’s and Luke’s gospels Jesus calls those
who mourn “blessed.” Who these people
are is not clear in either account. Are
they those who mourn their sins? Or
perhaps they share the sorrows of the people around them suffering loss of one kind
or another? Today we celebrate Mary, the
woman of sorrows. There can be little
doubt why she grieves. Her son Jesus has
died on the cross. No mother takes the
loss of a child that she has birthed and raised easily. Losing such a perfect son as Jesus is that
much more difficult to bear.
We too have lost someone special at the cross. We did not know him then but from all that we
have learned about him since, our loss is also deep. He was like an older brother who, if he were
here in person, would guide our way and support our weakness. Then how could Jesus tell us that our time to
rejoice? Can we sustain such contrary
failings for long?
We are to rejoice because Jesus is actually among
us. As St. Paul proclaims in the first
reading, he has risen from the dead. He
is present in the care we give to the poor.
He is present when we hear the gospels and all the thoughts which echo them. Most of all, he is present in the Eucharist
which gathers us in love to provide us his physical body and blood.
The Christian perspective has a dual focus. It misses seeing Jesus as he walked upon the
earth and waits anxiously for his promised return. At the same time it rejoices to find him present
in many ways beneath the surface of everyday life.
