FIRST READING
“Great indeed is the mystery of our religion.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (I Timothy 3:14-16)
Beloved: I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 111:1b-2.3-4.5-6 (R.2a)
R. Great are the works of the Lord.
Or: Alleluia.
I will praise the Lord with all my heart,
In the meeting of the just and the assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord,
to be pondered by all who delight in them. R.
Majestic and glorious his work;
his justice stands firm forever.
He has given us a memorial of his wonders.
The Lord is gracious and merciful. R.
R. Great are the works of the Lord.
Or: Alleluia.
He gives food to those who fear him;
Keeps his covenant ever in mind.
His mighty works he has shown to his people
by giving them the heritage of nations. R.
ALLELUIA John 6:63c.68c
Alleluia. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 19:25b-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 whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciples took her to his own home.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
The title of our lady of Sorrows gives hope for suffering humanity. We desire a life free from suffering and pain, but the reality of both hits us. God does whatever he wills and whatever is good for us. If he did not spare his only beloved son, he won’t spare us too. Today’s memorial is a sweet reminder that we are not orphans, especially in our sufferings and sorrows, for we have a loving mother who carried us firmly in her heart, even as she stood under the cross of her beloved Son Jesus. In that painful and most sorrowful moment, Mary accepted the role of our mother. Our sorrowful mother, with a heart deeply pierced by the suffering of her beloved Son, thinks of us. She accompanies us as she accompanied her Son. She stands by us and intercedes for us. May we not be afraid to take Mary, our Blessed Mother, into the home of our hearts.