A Meditation On The Seven Sorrows Of Mary
The Prophecy of Simeon in the Temple
"A sword will pierce Your Heart"…How often have I feared for my children, felt their pain; knew that they would experience pain in life and wanted to take it away, to take it upon myself instead. How deeply must Mary have felt this fear for her only Son. How much our Mother Mary wants to relieve our pain when the trials of life pierce our hearts.
The Flight to Egypt
How often have I tried to shield my loved ones from pain and sorrow, to keep them safe and away from things, which might be harmful to them. What lengths Mary and Joseph went to, to protect their Son. How deeply must Mary have wanted to protect her child Jesus. How much our Mother Mary still wants to help protect us from the all the sinful harm and dangers of this world.
Jesus is Lost for Three Days and Found in the Temple
How often have I felt separated from my loved ones? Have I felt lost? How often have I had that helpless feeling about what was happening to my loved ones? How deep must have been the fear of Mary when for three days she and Joseph searched for Him but to no avail until they found Him. How relieved must they have been to find Him safe. How much our Mother Mary seeks us, and seeks for us to join her in prayer and love of Jesus.
The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way to the Cross
How have I felt when I have seen my loved ones suffer? What words have I offered in consolation? How often has the suffering of a loved one in turn hurt me? Have I wished I could suffer in their place? How much our Mother Mary wants to meet us in our pain, to console us and help us with our burdens, to help bring us closer to Her Son Jesus.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
Have I ever felt all hope was gone, and looked upon my life feeling all was lost? Have I ever made a deep and life changing sacrifice solely for the well being of my loved ones?
How Mary must have felt looking upon her Son, crucified, her flesh and blood dying, and part of her dying with Him, yet knowing that this was meant to be…His life offered up for us all. How much must our Mother Mary want us to know and live in the grace of her Son Jesus’ forgiveness brought about by His total sacrifice, together with her and all the saints in His presence forever.
Jesus’ Body is Taken Down From the Cross
Have I ever felt that it was over; it was too late for me? Have I ever ended up crushed and finished in the arms of a loved one? How must Mary have felt with her Son Jesus lifeless body in her arms, the sorrow, and the unbearable loss of His life? What small relief for her it was that His suffering was over. How much must our Mother Mary want to hold us in her loving arms, to hand us to her Son, Jesus in love at the end of our days.
The Burial of Jesus in the Tomb
Have I ever felt separated from those I love, so separated that I feared never seeing them again. How must Mary have felt when she saw Him laid in the tomb? What incredible loss and emptiness she must have felt for the first time since His birth; to be totally separated from her Son; in this life never to see Him again, feel His touch, hear His voice. How much must our Mother Mary want us to be close as we can to Jesus through prayer and faith, and how we live our lives? How much must our Mother Mary want us all to be together forever in eternal peace and happiness in the light of Her Son’s eternal love… Never to be separated again in any way.
Mother Mary, pray for me. You who were conceived and lived free from sin, and gave your entire life up to God. You, so undeserving of pain, suffered the deepest of sorrows ever suffered by man. Help me, by your example and prayers with us and prayers for us, to use life’s sorrows as gifts to bring me closer to your Son Jesus.
Andy Cirmo 09/15/04