Our Lady of Sorrows, Memorial

It is not easy for a mother to care for her sick child. The mother would spend sleepless nights caring for her child and ensuring that her child takes medicine regularly, while praying that her child would recover quickly. It is even more not easy if the child is dying. The mother would be quite distraught, and she would turn to God in prayer, begging Him to heal her child and spare her child from death. Whatever the circumstances may be, a mother would generally make much sacrifices for the health and well-being of her child.

Mother Mary in today's Gospel also made much sacrifices for Jesus. In fact, she made the ultimate sacrifice. She saw her son Jesus dying on the cross. Most other mothers would have avoided being at the crucifixion site, for personal safety and also it would have been too much to bear. But Mother Mary still stayed on, keeping vigil with her son, Jesus, and watched with agony as her son's life slowly ebbed away. The Gospel tells us that Jesus gave Mother Mary to His beloved disciple as his mother, so that Mother Mary would have a place of refuge. In a way, Jesus is giving Mother Mary to each and every one of us, as we are like that beloved disciple.

In the end, Jesus died on that cross. But is this the end? No. We know that Jesus rose again after 3 days. Jesus' death was for the forgiveness of our sins. What was initially a sorrowful scene has turned to great joy as Jesus appeared once again to His disciples. Even then, we could imagine the strength and patience of a mother, our Mother Mary, who despite going through hell and back, still had the fortitude to "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." May we too have the fortitude to face up to the many dangers, troubles and persecutions which may come our way, taking Mother Mary as our shining example, and always depending on our Lord's help and providence.

Our Lady of Sorrows, Memorial

Our lives are often filled with good times and bad times. We see all sorts of good and bad things happening around us. We see countries at war, famine at certain places, injustices around us, society crumbling or breaking apart and other issues which could make us feel down, frustrated and some may even despair. However, we also see situations which lift up our spirits: the birth of a child, the beauty of a rainbow, people helping people despite of the sufferings they may be facing, and other events which could help us have more faith and hope.

Mother Mary too had her share of good times and bad times, and in today's memorial, we see the ultimate sacrifice she endured. Her son, Jesus, was crucified and was dying on the cross. Surely, as a mother, she would have experienced tremendous pain and sorrow. Which mother could bear watching her son die? Some mothers would have hid away, but not Mother Mary. She went through the ordeal with courage. But was this the end? Would Mother Mary be left abandoned? No. We read in the Gospel: "Seeing his mother and the disciple 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 moment the disciple made a place for her in his home." By doing this, Jesus was not only giving his mother to the disciple he loved, but also giving his mother to each and every one of us.

When we are faced with sorrow or difficulties, let us take heart that we have our loving Heavenly Mother watching over us. Our Heavenly Mother beckons us to offer our sorrows or difficulties to God as a fragrant offering, with trust and confidence that she will intercede for us and God will help and guide us. Oh Mother of Sorrows, pray for us, and guide us to your son Jesus.