MONDAY OF THE 24TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR
Mystery of the day: Joyful
Celebration: Our Lady of Sorrows
This feast has its origin in that Christian devotion which associates her with the Passion of her Son. Pope Pius VII extended this devotion to the whole Church and, in 1912, Pius X fixed the feast on this day, within the octave of the Nativity of our Mother the Virgin. Our Mother the Virgin teaches us to live, together with her, beside the Cross of her Son. In her suffering as co-redeemer, she reminds us of the tremendous malice of sin and shows us the way of true repentance.
Liturgical Colour: White
Table of the Word
First Reading: Hebrews 5:7–9
Gospel: John 19:25–27
Theme: A Sword Will Pierce Your Soul.
And the Lord Whispers: "Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother… and a sword will pierce your soul also.” (John 19:25; Luke 2:35).
Reflection
Beloved in Christ, In the first reading the authorbof the Letter to the Hebrews reminded us that Christ learned obedience through suffering and became the source of salvation (Hebrews 5:7–9)
While Evangelist John in the Gospel pericope presented an account of our Mother stood in sorrow at the foot of the Cross, there being given given the title Mater Ecclesia - Mother of the Church through the disciples.
However, Mary’s life was marked by faith, but also by sorrow. Simeon foretold it: a sword would pierce her heart (cf. Luke 2:35). At Calvary, that prophecy was fulfilled as she stood by her Son’s Cross. Yet she did not turn away; she stood.
The letter to the Hebrews (5:7–9) reminds us that Christ Himself was made perfect through suffering and became the source of salvation. Mary’s union with His suffering shows us that discipleship is not a path of ease but of faithfulness through trials.
Her sorrow was not hopeless grief but love stretched to its fullest measure. By receiving the beloved disciple as her son (cf. John 19:26–27), she received us all, becoming Mother of the Church. In her pierced heart, we find a school of compassion, courage, and unshakable trust.
The Holy Scripture also has this to day: “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh” (Luke 6:21).
While the Fathers of the sevond Vatican Council reflected still on this standpoint saying: “Thus the Blessed Virgin advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the Cross.”
(Vatican II (Lumen Gentium, 58)
On the other hand, Pope St. John Paul II called Mary’s sorrow “a sharing in the redemptive suffering of her Son."
Brethren, in our sorrows, let us be firm with faith, trusting God’s greater plan and unite our sufferings to Christ’s Cross, as Mary did.
Let us be present to the suffering of others, sometimes standing silently with them is the greatest act of love.
Finally, our Lord who is alwasys there to comfort us gentky whispers: “My child, when sorrow pierces your soul, do not despair. Stand with Me at the Cross, and your pain will be turned into redemptive love.”
+ Peace be with you.
© ARCHIVE 15092025
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