Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
Lectionary: 443/639
Lectionary: 443/639
Brothers and
sisters:
In giving this instruction, I do not praise the fact
that your meetings are doing more harm than good.
First of all, I hear that when you meet as a Church
there are divisions among you,
and to a degree I believe it;
there have to be factions among you
in order that also those who are approved among you
may become known.
When you meet in one place, then,
it is not to eat the Lord’s supper,
for in eating, each one goes ahead with his own supper,
and one goes hungry while another gets drunk.
Do you not have houses in which you can eat and drink?
Or do you show contempt for the Church of God
and make those who have nothing feel ashamed?
What can I say to you? Shall I praise you?
In this matter I do not praise you.
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,
that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over,
took bread and, after he had given thanks,
broke it and said, “This is my Body that is for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my Blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters,
when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
In giving this instruction, I do not praise the fact
that your meetings are doing more harm than good.
First of all, I hear that when you meet as a Church
there are divisions among you,
and to a degree I believe it;
there have to be factions among you
in order that also those who are approved among you
may become known.
When you meet in one place, then,
it is not to eat the Lord’s supper,
for in eating, each one goes ahead with his own supper,
and one goes hungry while another gets drunk.
Do you not have houses in which you can eat and drink?
Or do you show contempt for the Church of God
and make those who have nothing feel ashamed?
What can I say to you? Shall I praise you?
In this matter I do not praise you.
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,
that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over,
took bread and, after he had given thanks,
broke it and said, “This is my Body that is for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my Blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters,
when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
R. (1 Cor
11:26b) Proclaim the death of the Lord
until he comes again.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.
May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you
And may those who love your salvation
say ever, “The LORD be glorified.”
R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.
May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you
And may those who love your salvation
say ever, “The LORD be glorified.”
R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.
Sequence (Optional) - Stabat Mater
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 had passed.
Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blessed
Of the sole begotten One!
Christ above in torment hangs,
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying, glorious Son.
Is there one who would not weep,
‘Whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?
Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that mother’s pain untold?
Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child,
All with bloody scourges rent.
For the sins of his own nation
Saw him hang in desolation
Till his spirit forth he sent.
O sweet Mother! font of love,
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with yours accord.
Make me feel as you have felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord.
Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Savior crucified.
Let me share with you his pain,
Who for all our sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.
Let me mingle tears with you,
Mourning him who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live.
By the cross with you to stay,
There with you to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of you to give.
Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share your grief divine.
Let me to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of yours.
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 had passed.
Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blessed
Of the sole begotten One!
Christ above in torment hangs,
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying, glorious Son.
Is there one who would not weep,
‘Whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?
Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that mother’s pain untold?
Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child,
All with bloody scourges rent.
For the sins of his own nation
Saw him hang in desolation
Till his spirit forth he sent.
O sweet Mother! font of love,
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with yours accord.
Make me feel as you have felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord.
Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Savior crucified.
Let me share with you his pain,
Who for all our sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.
Let me mingle tears with you,
Mourning him who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live.
By the cross with you to stay,
There with you to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of you to give.
Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share your grief divine.
Let me to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of yours.
Standing by 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 there whom he loved
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
Jesus’ father and
mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Meditation: "Standing by the cross of Jesus"
Does suffering or sorrow weigh you down? The cross brings us
face to face with Jesus' suffering. He was alone. All his disciples had
deserted him except for his mother and three women along with John, the beloved
disciple. The apostles had fled in fear. But Mary, the mother of Jesus and
three other women who loved him were present at the cross. They demonstrate the
power of love for overcoming fear (1 John 4:18).
Love sustains us in hope through griefs and trials
At the beginning of Jesus' birth, when he was presented in the temple, Simeon had predicted that Mary would suffer greatly - a sword will pierce through your own soul (see Luke 2:33-35). Many have called Mary a martyr in spirit. Bernard of Clairvaux said: Jesus "died in body through a love greater than anyone had known. She died in spirit through a love unlike any other since his." Mary did not despair in her sorrow and loss, since her faith and hope were sustained by her trust in God and the love she had for her Son.
At the beginning of Jesus' birth, when he was presented in the temple, Simeon had predicted that Mary would suffer greatly - a sword will pierce through your own soul (see Luke 2:33-35). Many have called Mary a martyr in spirit. Bernard of Clairvaux said: Jesus "died in body through a love greater than anyone had known. She died in spirit through a love unlike any other since his." Mary did not despair in her sorrow and loss, since her faith and hope were sustained by her trust in God and the love she had for her Son.
The love of Christ enables us to bear all things
Jesus, in his grief and suffering, did not forget his mother. He entrusted her care to John, as well as John to her. No loss, no suffering can keep us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39). Paul the Apostle says that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:3). We can find no greater proof of God's love for us than the willing sacrifice of his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, on the cross. Do you know the love that enables you to bear your cross and to endure trial and difficulties with faith and hope in God?
Jesus, in his grief and suffering, did not forget his mother. He entrusted her care to John, as well as John to her. No loss, no suffering can keep us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39). Paul the Apostle says that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:3). We can find no greater proof of God's love for us than the willing sacrifice of his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, on the cross. Do you know the love that enables you to bear your cross and to endure trial and difficulties with faith and hope in God?
"Lord Jesus Christ, by your death on the cross you have won
pardon for us and freedom from the tyranny of sin and death. May I live in the
joy and freedom of your victory over sin, condemnation, and death."
 Taking Mary into My Home |
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September 15, 2014. Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
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John 19: 25-27
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his
mother´s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw
his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother,
"Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple,
"Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into
his home.
Introductory Prayer: You are true goodness and life, Lord. Closeness to you
brings peace and joy. You deserve all of my trust and my love. Thank you for
the gift of life, my family and above all of my faith. Thank you as well for
giving us your Mother at the foot of the cross.
Petition: Lord, help me to grow in my filial love for Mary, your
Mother and mine.
1. Standing: Today is a Marian feast: “Our Lady of
Sorrows”. Mary, like me, had no particular love of pain and sorrow. The first
announcement of her vocation by the Archangel Gabriel mentioned nothing about
it, being filled only with messianic promises. However, soon after Jesus’
birth, Simeon completed the dimensions that were to enlighten her vocation:
“…and a sword will pierce your heart that the thoughts of many might be
revealed”. Recognizing the fulfillment of her calling in the accompanying of
her Son during his crucifixion, she does so with a desire to fulfill God’s
mysterious plan, not reluctantly, but standing closely to Jesus with all the
sorrow that this implied for her.
2. Last Will and Testament: The words Jesus speaks to his
mother and his beloved disciple are equivalent to his last will and
testament. He bequeaths what is most precious to him to a beloved person. To
Mary, he gives the friend that he loves so much, who will also need her help
in the difficulties he will face. To John, he gives his greatest human
comfort, his mother who is his best disciple. He knows that she needs him, an
adopted son, to comfort and accompany her.
3. Mary Makes My Home Sweet: John took his responsibility
for Mary seriously, taking her into his own home. Home for John was nothing
less than the Church that Jesus founded. Mary was to have the pride of place
there, as Jesus’ mother, and as she who knew, loved and served him best. She
also took her role seriously, so seriously that she immediately perceived
that all those she encountered were her adoptive sons and daughters. In this
house that is the Church, Mary is the sweetness of the traditional saying,
“Home, sweet home”.
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, I can’t thank you enough for
entrusting your mother to me and me to her. I want to take care of her by
being an attentive, faithful son who imitates you. That’s what will console
her and make her heart rejoice. Mary, be always at my side and intercede for
me before God, in order that I persevere in following your Son.
Resolution: I will make my devotion to Mary very personal, whether
it be in spontaneous conversation with her or contemplating the mysteries of
Christ’s life while praying the Rosary.
By Father Patrick Butler, LC |
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, JOHN 19:25-27
(Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
(1 Corinthians 11:17-26, 33; Psalm 40)
(1 Corinthians 11:17-26, 33; Psalm 40)
KEY VERSE: "Woman, behold your son" (v 26).
READING: For the second time in John's gospel Jesus addressed his mother as "woman" (see Wedding at Cana, John 2:4). This unusual title goes back to the first promise of redemption: "I will put enmity between you (Satan) and the woman" (Gn 3:15). John sees Mary as the "new Eve" whose obedience to God reversed the penalty due to sin, and her son as the "new Adam" who opened wide the gates of salvation by his saving death. On Calvary, Satan was crushed through the death of Mary's offspring. When Jesus gave his life for us, he also gave us his mother. Mary stood at the cross with John, the beloved disciple, who represented all Christians who sought salvation in Christ. Simeon's prophecy that Mary would "be pierced with a sword so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare" (Lk 2:35) was fulfilled on Calvary. She was the suffering mother of the Church that was about to be born. Mary is the role-model for all believers. Imitating her dispositions for humility, faithfulness, and praise equip all Christians for full ministry in the Church.
REFLECTING: Have I made a home in my heart for Mary?
PRAYING: Mary my mother, help me to accept both the pain and triumph of the cross as you did.
MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWSThe
feast of Our Lady of Sorrows was originally granted to the Order of the
Servants of Mary in 1667. It was introduced into the Roman calendar in 1814 and
assigned to the third Sunday in September. In 1913 the date of the feast was
assigned to September 15.
Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary
Pray one Hail Mary while meditating on each of the Seven Sorrows of Mary:
1. The prophecy of Simeon.
2. The flight into Egypt.
3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple.
4. Mary meeting Jesus carrying His Cross.
5. The Crucifixion.
6. Mary receiving the Body of Jesus from the Cross.
7. The Body of Jesus being placed in the tomb.
Then pray three Hail Mary's in remembrance of the tears Mary shed because of the suffering of Her Divine Son. Concluding prayers: "Pray for us, O Most Sorrowful Virgin, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Lord Jesus, we now implore, both for the present and for the hour of our death, the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, whose Holy Soul was pierced during Your Passion by a sword of grief. Grant us this favor, O Savior of the world, Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen."
Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary
Pray one Hail Mary while meditating on each of the Seven Sorrows of Mary:
1. The prophecy of Simeon.
2. The flight into Egypt.
3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple.
4. Mary meeting Jesus carrying His Cross.
5. The Crucifixion.
6. Mary receiving the Body of Jesus from the Cross.
7. The Body of Jesus being placed in the tomb.
Then pray three Hail Mary's in remembrance of the tears Mary shed because of the suffering of Her Divine Son. Concluding prayers: "Pray for us, O Most Sorrowful Virgin, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Lord Jesus, we now implore, both for the present and for the hour of our death, the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, whose Holy Soul was pierced during Your Passion by a sword of grief. Grant us this favor, O Savior of the world, Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen."
Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again
‘I am not worthy to have you under my roof.’On this feast in honour of the Seven Sorrows endured by Our Lady, it is fitting to reflect on her absolute humility. The gospel contains those beautiful and humble words of our liturgy: ‘I am not worthy to have you under my roof.’ It is realistic to imagine that Mary wasn’t someone calling out to God, ‘Pick me, pick me!’ Instead, she was possibly overwhelmed with the immense calling on her life. I have often turned to Mary for help when dealing with difficult situations in relation to my children. Being united to her sorrows has enabled me to move through circumstances that seemed to engulf me. Like many parents, I have felt the sword of Simeon’s prophecy pierce my heart. Today let us ask for Mary’s intercession for a particular sorrow in our lives.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Lord, Have Mercy
For mercy is an indispensable dimension of love; it is as it were
love’s second name. —Blessed John Paul II
September
15
Our Lady of Sorrows
Our Lady of Sorrows
For a while there were two feasts in honor of the Sorrowful
Mother: one going back to the 15th century, the other to the 17th century. For
a while both were celebrated by the universal Church: one on the Friday before
Palm Sunday, the other in September.
The
principal biblical references to Mary's sorrows are in Luke 2:35 and John
19:26-27. The Lucan passage is Simeon's prediction about a sword piercing
Mary's soul; the Johannine passage relates Jesus' words to Mary and to the
beloved disciple.
Many
early Church writers interpret the sword as Mary's sorrows, especially as she
saw Jesus die on the cross. Thus, the two passages are brought together as
prediction and fulfillment.
St.
Ambrose (December7) in particular sees Mary as a sorrowful yet powerful figure
at the cross. Mary stood fearlessly at the cross while others fled. Mary looked
on her Son's wounds with pity, but saw in them the salvation of the world. As
Jesus hung on the cross, Mary did not fear to be killed but offered herself to
her persecutors.
Comment:
John's account of Jesus' death is highly symbolic. When Jesus gives the beloved disciple to Mary, we are invited to appreciate Mary's role in the Church: She symbolizes the Church; the beloved disciple represents all believers. As Mary mothered Jesus, she is now mother to all his followers. Furthermore, as Jesus died, he handed over his Spirit. Mary and the Spirit cooperate in begetting new children of God—almost an echo of Luke's account of Jesus' conception. Christians can trust that they will continue to experience the caring presence of Mary and Jesus' Spirit throughout their lives and throughout history.
John's account of Jesus' death is highly symbolic. When Jesus gives the beloved disciple to Mary, we are invited to appreciate Mary's role in the Church: She symbolizes the Church; the beloved disciple represents all believers. As Mary mothered Jesus, she is now mother to all his followers. Furthermore, as Jesus died, he handed over his Spirit. Mary and the Spirit cooperate in begetting new children of God—almost an echo of Luke's account of Jesus' conception. Christians can trust that they will continue to experience the caring presence of Mary and Jesus' Spirit throughout their lives and throughout history.
Quote:
"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)
"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)
LECTIO DIVINA: OUR LADY OF SORROWS
Lectio:
Monday, September 15, 2014 (All day)
Ordinary Time
John 19,25-27
1) Opening prayer
Almighty God,
our creator and guide,
may we serve you with all our hearts
and know your forgiveness in our lives.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
our creator and guide,
may we serve you with all our hearts
and know your forgiveness in our lives.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - John 19,25-27
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s
sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.
Seeing his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
Seeing his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
3) Reflection
• Today, feast of Our Sorrowful Mother, the Gospel of the day
presents the passage in which Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Beloved
Disciple, meet at Calvary before the Cross. The Mother of Jesus appears two
times in the Gospel of John: at the beginning at the wedding feast in Cana (Jn
2, 1-5), and at the end, at the foot of the Cross (Jn 19, 25-27). These two
episodes, only present in John’s Gospel, have a very profound value. The Gospel
of John compared to the other three Gospels, is like an X-Ray of the other
three, while the other three are only a photograph of what has taken place. The
X rays of faith help to discover in the events dimensions which the human eye
does not succeed to perceive. The Gospel of John, besides describing the facts,
reveals the symbolical dimension which exists in them. Thus, in both cases, at
Cana and at the foot of the Cross, the Mother of Jesus represents symbolically
the Old Testament waiting for the New Testament to arrive, and in the two
cases, she contributes to the arrival of the New Testament. Mary appears like
the step between what existed before and that which will arrive afterwards. At
Cana she symbolizes the Old Testament; she perceives the limits of the Old
Testament and takes the initiative so that the New one arrives. She tells her
Son: “They have no wine!” (Jn 2, 3). And in Calvary? Let us see:
• John 19, 25: The women and the Beloved Disciple, together at the foot of the Cross. This is what the Gospel says: “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala”. The “photograph” shows the mother together with the Son, standing up. A strong woman, who does not allow herself to be discouraged. “Stabat Mater Dolorosa!” Hers is a silent presence which supports the Son in his gift of self up until death, and the death on the cross (Ph 2, 8). But the “X-Ray” of faith shows how the passage from the Old Testament to the New Testament takes place. Like it happened in Cana, the Mother of Jesus represents the Old Testament, the new humanity which is formed beginning from the lived experience of the Gospel of the Kingdom. At the end of the first century, some Christians thought that the Old Testament was no longer necessary. In fact, at the beginning of the second century, Marciones rejected all the Old Testament and remained with only a part of the New Testament. This is why many wanted to know which was the will of Jesus regarding this.
• John 19, 26-28: The Testament or the Will of Jesus. The words of Jesus are significant. Seeing his Mother, and at her side the beloved Disciple, Jesus says: “Woman, this is your son”. Then he says to the disciple: “This is your mother”. The Old and the New Testament must walk together. The request of Jesus, the beloved Disciple, the son, the New Testament, receives the mother in his house. In the house of the Beloved Disciple, in the Christian community, the full sense of the Old Testament is discovered. The New Testament cannot be understood without the Old one, neither is the Old one complete without the New one. Saint Agustin said: “Novum in vetere latet, Vetus in Novo patet”. (The New one is hidden in the Old one. The Old one blooms in the New one). The New one without the Old one would be a building without a foundation. And the Old one without the New one would be like a fruit tree which could not bear fruit.
• Mary in the New Testament. The New Testament speaks very little about Mary and she says even less. Mary is the Mother of silence. The Bible only keeps seven words of Mary. Each one of those is like a window which allows one to see inside Mary’s house and to discover how her relationship with God was. The key to understand all this is given by Luke: “Blessed are those who receive the word of God and put it into practice” (Lk 11, 27-28).
1st Word: “How can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?” (Lk 1, 34).
2nd Word: “You see before you the Lord’s servant; let it happen to me as you have said”. (Lk 1, 38).
3rd Word: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour (Lk 1, 46-55).
4th Word: “My child why have you done this to us? Your father and I were worried looking for you” (Lk 2, 48).
5th Word: “They have no wine!” (Jn 2, 3.)
6th Word: “Do whatever he tells you!” (Jn 2, 5).
7th Word: The silence at the foot of the Cross, more eloquent than one thousand words! (Jn 19, 25-27).
• John 19, 25: The women and the Beloved Disciple, together at the foot of the Cross. This is what the Gospel says: “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala”. The “photograph” shows the mother together with the Son, standing up. A strong woman, who does not allow herself to be discouraged. “Stabat Mater Dolorosa!” Hers is a silent presence which supports the Son in his gift of self up until death, and the death on the cross (Ph 2, 8). But the “X-Ray” of faith shows how the passage from the Old Testament to the New Testament takes place. Like it happened in Cana, the Mother of Jesus represents the Old Testament, the new humanity which is formed beginning from the lived experience of the Gospel of the Kingdom. At the end of the first century, some Christians thought that the Old Testament was no longer necessary. In fact, at the beginning of the second century, Marciones rejected all the Old Testament and remained with only a part of the New Testament. This is why many wanted to know which was the will of Jesus regarding this.
• John 19, 26-28: The Testament or the Will of Jesus. The words of Jesus are significant. Seeing his Mother, and at her side the beloved Disciple, Jesus says: “Woman, this is your son”. Then he says to the disciple: “This is your mother”. The Old and the New Testament must walk together. The request of Jesus, the beloved Disciple, the son, the New Testament, receives the mother in his house. In the house of the Beloved Disciple, in the Christian community, the full sense of the Old Testament is discovered. The New Testament cannot be understood without the Old one, neither is the Old one complete without the New one. Saint Agustin said: “Novum in vetere latet, Vetus in Novo patet”. (The New one is hidden in the Old one. The Old one blooms in the New one). The New one without the Old one would be a building without a foundation. And the Old one without the New one would be like a fruit tree which could not bear fruit.
• Mary in the New Testament. The New Testament speaks very little about Mary and she says even less. Mary is the Mother of silence. The Bible only keeps seven words of Mary. Each one of those is like a window which allows one to see inside Mary’s house and to discover how her relationship with God was. The key to understand all this is given by Luke: “Blessed are those who receive the word of God and put it into practice” (Lk 11, 27-28).
1st Word: “How can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?” (Lk 1, 34).
2nd Word: “You see before you the Lord’s servant; let it happen to me as you have said”. (Lk 1, 38).
3rd Word: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour (Lk 1, 46-55).
4th Word: “My child why have you done this to us? Your father and I were worried looking for you” (Lk 2, 48).
5th Word: “They have no wine!” (Jn 2, 3.)
6th Word: “Do whatever he tells you!” (Jn 2, 5).
7th Word: The silence at the foot of the Cross, more eloquent than one thousand words! (Jn 19, 25-27).
4) Personal questions
• Mary at the foot of the Cross. A strong and silent woman. How
is my devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus?
• In the Pieta of Michelangelo, Mary seems to be very young, younger than the crucified Son, and she must have been about fifty years old. Asked why he had sculptured the face of Mary as a young girl, Michelangelo replied: the persons who are passionate for God never age!” Passionate for God! Is that passion for God in me?
• In the Pieta of Michelangelo, Mary seems to be very young, younger than the crucified Son, and she must have been about fifty years old. Asked why he had sculptured the face of Mary as a young girl, Michelangelo replied: the persons who are passionate for God never age!” Passionate for God! Is that passion for God in me?
5) Concluding Prayer
Yahweh, what quantities of good things you have in store
for those who fear you,
and bestow on those who make you their refuge,
for all humanity to see.
Safe in your presence you hide them,
far from human plotting. (Ps 31,19-20)
for those who fear you,
and bestow on those who make you their refuge,
for all humanity to see.
Safe in your presence you hide them,
far from human plotting. (Ps 31,19-20)
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