Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
(I Corinthians 12:12-14.27-31a; John 19:25-27)
A German writer went to Egypt to find out more about the
twenty-one Coptic martyrs a few years ago.
The men were slain by Muslim extremists for their adherence to belief in
Christ. The writer discovered that the
mothers of the young men were not grief stricken, at least at the time of his
visit. They were mostly joyful and proud
that their sons gave their lives for Christ.
Mary in today’s gospel has this air as well.
Mary, like everyone else in John’s gospel, accompanies Jesus
to the cross. There Jesus pronounces her
mother of his beloved disciple. It is
not necessarily a singular responsibility.
In becoming the mother of the unnamed disciple, Mary becomes the mother
of all Jesus’ beloved disciples. Like
the mothers of the Coptic martyrs, Mary would feel proud and joyful. She now has an intimate relationship with the
multitude of Christians through the ages.
We do not mean to say that Mary is not at the same time
sorrowful. No doubt her heart is heavy
to see her son executed. But from the
beginning of the gospel she is a woman of faith. She knows that Jesus’ horrific death will turn
into unimaginable glory. We likewise believe that, because of Jesus’ sacrifice,
our dying to self leads to eternal life.
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