Daily Retreat 09/15/06
2006 Sep 15 Fri: Our Lady of Sorrows M
1 Cor 9: 16-19. 22b-27/ Ps 83(84): 3. 4. 5-6. 12// Jn 19: 25-27 or Lk 2: 33-35
From today’s readings: “Every athlete exercises discipline in every way - they do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one!... The LORD withholds no good thing from those who walk in sincerity.... Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”
Sharing the Cross
Yesterday’s feast of the Triumph of the Cross was a reminder of God’s presence and the victorious banner of His love even in the midst of sorrow, pain, and suffering. As Christ teaches, each one of His followers has a share in the Cross - even Mary, His beloved mother, was not spared her share of the Cross.
How true it is that, often, our heaviest crosses are born when we share in the sufferings of those closest to us. For true love, such sharing in suffering (“com-passion”) is not an option - it’s essential! Thus Mary’s wordless presence at the foot of the Cross reminds you and me of the importance of compassionately supporting with our own presence, in whatever way possible, those faced with sorrow and suffering.
While it’s not always possible to physically stand in the shadow of others’ crosses, our prayers and visits, timely help, favors, letters, phone calls, emails or whatever means of communication available can convey our loving commitment to, like Mary, share fully in the Cross for the sake of Christ.
1 Cor 9: 16-19. 22b-27/ Ps 83(84): 3. 4. 5-6. 12// Jn 19: 25-27 or Lk 2: 33-35
From today’s readings: “Every athlete exercises discipline in every way - they do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one!... The LORD withholds no good thing from those who walk in sincerity.... Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”
Sharing the Cross
Yesterday’s feast of the Triumph of the Cross was a reminder of God’s presence and the victorious banner of His love even in the midst of sorrow, pain, and suffering. As Christ teaches, each one of His followers has a share in the Cross - even Mary, His beloved mother, was not spared her share of the Cross.
How true it is that, often, our heaviest crosses are born when we share in the sufferings of those closest to us. For true love, such sharing in suffering (“com-passion”) is not an option - it’s essential! Thus Mary’s wordless presence at the foot of the Cross reminds you and me of the importance of compassionately supporting with our own presence, in whatever way possible, those faced with sorrow and suffering.
While it’s not always possible to physically stand in the shadow of others’ crosses, our prayers and visits, timely help, favors, letters, phone calls, emails or whatever means of communication available can convey our loving commitment to, like Mary, share fully in the Cross for the sake of Christ.
posted by FrPitstick | 9/14/2006
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