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The Gospel for the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is the passage in which Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and the Beloved Disciple, both stand at the foot of the Cross. Some Catholic artists have depicted Mary sobbing, prostrate on the ground but  the women and the Beloved Disciple stood together with courage, at the foot of the Cross. continue reading

Mary's silence at the foot of the Cross is active, not passive. Mary stands at the foot of the Cross as a strong, silent woman who is suffering over the loss of her son but remains obedient by embracing John as her son. Mary is really opening her heart to embrace all disciples as her children. Only a strong woman can love once again in the midst of suffering. Then, in the Book of Acts, Mary does not indulge in grief but devotes herself to prayer with the disciples, waiting for the Holy Spirit. continue reading

Near the cross of Jesus, there stood his mother. Jn 19:15.Most mother’s identify with their children, feeling joy and pain in their hearts as they watch their kids. Mary was and in fact still is in sync with her son, in deep communion with him, offering  us a pathway through her heart to the heart of Christ. Let’s celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of  Sorrow with great art. continue reading

"At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart, his sorrow sharing, All his bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the sword has passed." ( Stabat Mater )

Just recently, I read  Ali Baba and the Forty thieves  for my children .  In this story, the wife of Ali Baba’s (unfortunate) brother and her servant girls lament and cry by his corpse, retrieved by Ali Baba from the thieves’ cave. Their lament announces to everyone the death of Ali Baba’s brother. This is just one of many examples of weeping done not only because of a spontaneous desire but with a specific and sometimes direct ritual meaning. And whenever there is a ritual, behind it lies the desire to express a deeper human reality. The ritual, the task, vocation or place, is there to encompass the entire human being when she (the soul) comes in contact with a reality beyond ordinary expression. Or in the words of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Gandalf, “not all tears are an evil…” The task of lamenting is one forgotten in the Western world, along with most meaningful rituals. .... In sharp contrast to this “liberated human” stands the Mother, weeping beneath the Cross... ...

“Everything will be fine…” How many times a mother says just this, with or without words… Are these spontaneous words empty of content? No! God guarantees the fulfillment of a mother’s promise! In fact, the words are a  prayer,  even when they are just a sigh or an ache we feel. When a mother consoles her children, God sees to it that her consolations become reality, in one way or another. Everything will be fine. Don’t worry. Don’t cry.  Rest  in my arms… Continue reading...

The Crucifixion , El Greco, 1596-1600 Museo del Prado, Madrid    Gospel: John 19:25-27 Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.”   Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. Simeon with the Infant Jesus in the Temple , Rembrandt, 166 Alternative Gospel: Luke 2:33-35 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.   Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed   so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows...