Proper for the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows [1]
(includes Optional Sequence – Stabat Mater)
Additional information about Our Lady of Sorrows
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“The Pietà (Mary Lamenting the Dead Christ)”
by Baciccio, 1667. |
Readings for Our Lady of Sorrows
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
Readings and Commentary:[3]
For this memorial, the gospel reading from the proper is used.
Beloved:
I am writing you,
although I hope to visit you soon.
But if I should be delayed,
you should know how to behave in the household of God,
which is the Church of the living God,
the pillar and foundation of truth.
Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion,
Who was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated in the spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed to the Gentiles,
believed in throughout the world,
taken up in glory.
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St. Paul has apparently planned a trip to Ephesus to visit Timothy. His intent in sending this part of his message is to ensure the care Timothy must take over preserving the mysteries of Christ in the Church. Christ appeared in human flesh, was vindicated by the Holy Spirit, and revealed to the angels as God’s Son. “Several features in the Greek text suggest Paul is quoting from an ancient Christian hymn. It touches on key moments in the incarnate life of Christ: his coming as a man (manifested), his Resurrection (vindicated), his adoration in heaven (seen by angels), the spread of his message (preached), its acceptance in the world (believed in), and his Ascension into glory (taken up) (CCC 463, 2641).”[4]
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R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
Majesty and glory are his work,
and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
He has given food to those who fear him;
he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works,
giving them the inheritance of the nations.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
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Psalm 111 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. In this selection we find the singer giving thanks for God’s guidance, and the Lord's works of creation and salvation. References to the covenant in these strophes relate directly to the promises made to Abraham and his descendants. The hymn professes God’s greatness, revealed in creation, and revered by all that live and have being.
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Gospel:
First Option: 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 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.
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Commentary on Jn 19:25-27
Here is Jesus’ last address to his mother. Although the address sounds unnecessarily formal ("Woman, behold, your son.") this would have been considered a polite address in biblical times. The reference, “Woman,” is possibly to Genesis 3:15 which describes the mother of the Messiah as the “woman” whose offspring conquers the devil (CCC 726, 2618). [4] The Lord, nearing the end of his life, commends the care of his mother to the disciple whom he loved. It is presumed this is done because Jesus has no brothers or sisters, and his adoptive father, Joseph, has already died.
In this instance, while it can be assumed that the disciple referred to is St. John, the author of the Gospel, the tender consignment of the care of the Lord’s mother is seen as iconic. That is, she is given into the care of all of the disciples, whom Jesus loves. Seeing her Son dying upon the cross is one of the seven sorrows the Blessed Mother endured in faith.
CCC: Jn 19:25-27 726, 2618; Jn 19:25 495; Jn 19:26-27 501, 964, 2605; Jn 19:27 2677, 2679
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OR
Second Option: Luke 2:33-35
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."
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Commentary on Lk 2:33-35
In this passage we hear the prediction of Simeon, a man, we are told earlier, who “was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel.” Simeon was told by the Holy Spirit that he would not pass away until he had seen the Messiah. He has declared that this promise has been fulfilled, and then turns to Mary and makes the prediction about the nature of Christ’s ministry, and the nature of the sorrow she will endure: “and you yourself a sword will pierce.” The sword indicates that Mary will have a share in her Son’s sufferings. Hers will be an unspeakable pain which pierces her soul. Our Lord suffered on the cross for our sins, and it is those sins which forge the sword of Mary’s pain.[5]
CCC: Lk 2:32 713; Lk 2:34 575, 587; Lk 2:35 149, 618
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Reflection:
Today we remember Mary the Mother of God who followed her Son through his life and thereby suffered as only a mother can suffer. The Church traditionally remembers seven specific events in the life of Mary that are called her Seven Sorrows. (Note the Hebrew numerological significance of the perfect number, seven (7).) It is noteworthy that all of her Seven Sorrows were scriptural. They include:
1. The Prophecy of Simeon.
2. The Flight into Egypt.
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days.
4. Meeting Jesus on the Way to Calvary.
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus.
6. Jesus Taken Down from the Cross.
7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb.
Two of these events are options for our Gospel today. In John we find Mary at the foot of the Cross as Jesus is being crucified and in Luke, she is hearing the awful prophecy from Simeon the mystic. While the Gospel of Luke predicts the sword of sorrow that will pierce Mary’s heart, it is more wrenching to hear the story of that event taking place in the Gospel of John.
Anyone who has had a child badly hurt can get an idea of the suffering Mary went through at the Cross. Only one who as lost a child in death can fully come to grips with Mary’s anguish as she watches her Son slip into death on the Cross. We can feel her pain as her “brave little soldier” has spikes driven through his hands and feet. We can feel the hot tears as he is taken down from that place and laid, dead, beyond help, in a stranger’s tomb.
It is because of her humanness that we can so easily identify with her. It is at these moments in her life, when pain and suffering threatened to overcome her, that Mary demonstrates the virtue and strength of one who was worthy of the title Mother of God. Mary always shows us the strength of the Holy Spirit and the peace only faith in her Son can bring.
Today’s memorial is a reaffirming event for us. The Son of God, who is True God and True Man had a mother, Mary. His mother went through the same human trials that mothers from the beginning of human history have endured. She has demonstrated for us the fruits of faith and the strength of love that is our example of virtue.
Our prayer today is a simple one. We take it from the hymn Stabat Mater Dolorosa:
Make me feel as thou hast felt;
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ, my Lord.
Pax
[1] The picture is “The Pietà (Mary Lamenting the Dead Christ)” by Baciccio, 1667. [2] S.S Commemoratio 445/639 [3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. p.390.
[5] The Navarre Bible, Gospels and Acts, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, p.363.
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