Hebrews 5:7-9 / John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35
Today we commemorate one of the titles of Mary - Our Lady of Sorrows.
We may wonder why the Church picks those moments of grief and sorrow and suffering and remembers it in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Yesterday we celebrated the feast of the Triumph of the Cross. Today we remember yet another paradox - the grief and the sorrow of our Lady.
Maybe there are certain things in life that can be revealed and learnt only through sorrow and suffering.
The cross, a symbol of shame and death, is turned by Jesus into a symbol of life and glory.
In Mary's case, as she stood by the cross, and in the depths of her sorrow, she was also transformed, as she received a revelation and a mission.
In that moment of her greatest sorrow, Christ transformed her and commissioned her to be the Mother of the Church.
In dying on the cross, Christ gave life to us and gave Mary to be our Mother.
When sorrow and suffering are put into the hands of God, something is transformed and something beautiful and glorious happens.
Let us stay by the side of our Mother as she stands at the foot of the cross, and hold her close to our hearts.
And when we meet with troubles or distress, and when we, like Mary, sink into the depths of sorrow, let us turn to Jesus on the cross.
Jesus assures us that something beautiful and glorious is about to happen. As long as we stay by the side of our Mother and hold her close to our hearts.