September 15, 2021

Readings for the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Lectionary: 445

Reading I

1 Tm 3:14-16

Beloved:
I am writing you,
although I hope to visit you soon.
But if I should be delayed,
you should know how to behave in the household of God,
which is the Church of the living God,
the pillar and foundation of truth.
Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion,

    Who was manifested in the flesh,
    vindicated in the spirit,
    seen by angels,
    proclaimed to the Gentiles,
    believed in throughout the world,
    taken up in glory.

Responsorial Psalm

111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

1.  (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
   I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
       in the company and assembly of the just.
   Great are the works of the LORD,
       exquisite in all their delights.
   R.   How great are the works of the Lord!
   Majesty and glory are his work,
       and his justice endures forever.
   He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
       gracious and merciful is the LORD.
   R.    How great are the works of the Lord!
   He has given food to those who fear him;
       he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
   He has made known to his people the power of his works,
       giving them the inheritance of the nations.
   R.    How great are the works of the Lord!

Sequence

(Optional)

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 had passed.

Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blessed
Of the sole begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs,
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying, glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,
‘Whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that mother’s pain untold?

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child,
All with bloody scourges rent.

For the sins of his own nation
Saw him hang in desolation
Till his spirit forth he sent.

O sweet Mother!  font of love,
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with yours accord.

Make me feel as you have felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord.

Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Savior crucified.

Let me share with you his pain,
Who for all our sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with you,
Mourning him who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live.

By the cross with you to stay,
There with you to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of you to give.

Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share your grief divine.

Let me to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of yours.

Alleluia

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary;
   without dying you won the Martyr’s crown
   beneath the Cross of the Lord.
   R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

OR:

Lk 2:33-35

Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Reflection: MARY, THE BEST FOLLOWER OF CHRIST

Children sitting in the marketplace and accusing one another of not cooperating seems to be quite unrelated to the memorial we celebrate today: Our Lady of Sorrows. In fact, it is not particularly related to the commemoration. It comes in the regular stream of readings arranged so that we can get familiar with all holy scripture and learn from them how we may follow Jesus. However, if we may say so here, Mary was the first and best follower of Jesus. She listened to the word with love...treasured them in her heart and was the best model the disciples had to follow. She was not put out or frightened by whatever he said or did but as Simeon had predicted a sword did pierce her heart at every turn. However, she was not one to run away in fright. She was willing to dance or mourn as the Lord wanted her to do every bit of the way.

The seven swords that pierced the Immaculate Heart of Our Heavenly Mother are:

1. Simeon's Prophecy
2. The flight into Egypt
3. The three days loss in the temple
4. Meeting Jesus with His cross
5. The crucifixion
6. Taking Jesus down from the cross
7. The burial of Jesus