Good morning.
I would usually send out a video on Tuesday but there is so much to say today that I really need to write it down to do it justice.
Today we recognise Our Lady of Sorrows. Mary has many titles: Mother of God; Mother of Jesus; Immaculate Mary; Queen of Heaven; to name but a few. These are all worthy titles which give recognition to the special place that she has in the heart of Jesus – and us.
But today we give recognition to the fact that Mary was a simple young girl when she accepted to become the mother of Jesus. A human girl, not divine, who experienced everything on a human level. She endured hardships, beginning with having to give birth to Jesus in a stable, losing him at the age of twelve in the temple, and finally witnessing the suffering and death of her only son.
And it is this final ordeal to which we give attention today. If Mary was a young girl when Jesus was born, she would have been less than 50 when he was crucified. Can you imagine watching your 33-year old son being put to death in this most horrific way? Such are the sorrows that Mary actually bore.
The Stabat Mater, which often accompanies the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, was written to commemorate this ordeal. The very real deep emotional pain of Mary is something that we should be able to relate to when we ponder on the Cross, which we celebrated yesterday.
We pray especially to Mary for her inspiration, guidance and strength, particularly as we face our own challenges at this trying time.
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
God bless and stay well. Dc Mike & the team.
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