Friday of the 23rd week in ordinary time year A
1 Tim.1:1-2.12-14 John 19:25-27
Theme: The love of a mother
Today the church celebrates the memorial of our Lady of Sorrows. A celebration that reminds us of the depth of Mary’s love for her son Jesus. The sorrows of our mother Mary started almost immediately she said ‘Yes’ to the message of Angel Gabriel, that she has been chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus Christ. The message of Simeon at the Temple during the presentation of Jesus, would have given her some insight of what awaits her in her journey as the mother of Christ. The birth of Christ happened in the most unexpected place for the saviour of the world, but all that did not discourage her in any way. She gladly journeyed with Jesus, all through the difficulties and challenges of his life, until they got to the cross, as presented in the gospel reading of today. The love of our mother Mary for her ‘Son’ Jesus Christ was obvious, all through the mission of Christ. They encountered a lot of rejection and difficulties, but all that did not stop our mother Mary from following and supporting her child until the end.
Today as we celebrate the memorial of our Lady of Sorrows, we are presented with the fact that you don’t have to be a sinner to go through pains and difficulties in life from time to time. This can be seen clearly in the life of the holy family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. There is no gain saying that this family should have had a life that is devoid of any stress or difficulty, but that will be contradicting the mission of Christ and why he came to be one with us except in sin. Pain and difficulties in life is something that none of us wish for, but we cannot completely avoid it. That is why we need to pray for the grace of God to sustain and support us at such moments in our lives, just like the holy family.
Our mother Mary has shown us that with love and the grace of God, we can surmount theses challenges when they come. It has nothing to do with whether you are righteous or a sinner. Sometimes the fact that you are righteous may attract even more difficulties and challenges to you. This is because your values will continue to challenge all those who encounter you, and some may not be able to accept it. At such moments, let us draw strength from our mother Mary who has walked that same path, and she will strengthen and intercede for us. May the pains and sorrows of our mother Mary continue to strengthen us, amidst the challenges of life, in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.