For a while there were two feasts in honor of the Sorrowful
Mother: one going back to the 15th century, the other to the 17th century. For
a while both were celebrated by the universal Church: one on the Friday before
Palm Sunday, the other in September.
The principal biblical references to Mary's sorrows are in Luke
2:35 and John 19:26-27. The Lucan passage is Simeon's prediction about a sword
piercing Mary's soul; the Johannine passage relates Jesus' words to Mary and to
the beloved disciple.
Many early Church writers interpret the sword as Mary's sorrows,
especially as she saw Jesus die on the cross. Thus, the two passages are
brought together as prediction and fulfillment.
St. Ambrose (December7) in particular sees Mary as a sorrowful yet
powerful figure at the cross. Mary stood fearlessly at the cross while others
fled. Mary looked on her Son's wounds with pity, but saw in them the salvation
of the world. As Jesus hung on the cross, Mary did not fear to be killed
but offered herself to her persecutors.
Comment:
John's account of Jesus' death is highly symbolic. When Jesus gives the beloved disciple to Mary, we are invited to appreciate Mary's role in the Church: She symbolizes the Church; the beloved disciple represents all believers. As Mary mothered Jesus, she is now mother to all his followers. Furthermore, as Jesus died, he handed over his Spirit. Mary and the Spirit cooperate in begetting new children of God—almost an echo of Luke's account of Jesus' conception. Christians can trust that they will continue to experience the caring presence of Mary and Jesus' Spirit throughout their lives and throughout history.
John's account of Jesus' death is highly symbolic. When Jesus gives the beloved disciple to Mary, we are invited to appreciate Mary's role in the Church: She symbolizes the Church; the beloved disciple represents all believers. As Mary mothered Jesus, she is now mother to all his followers. Furthermore, as Jesus died, he handed over his Spirit. Mary and the Spirit cooperate in begetting new children of God—almost an echo of Luke's account of Jesus' conception. Christians can trust that they will continue to experience the caring presence of Mary and Jesus' Spirit throughout their lives and throughout history.
Quote:
"At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.
Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,
All his bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword has passed."
(Stabat Mater)
"At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.
Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,
All his bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword has passed."
(Stabat Mater)
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