The devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows dates back to the Middle Ages and was fixed to be always celebrated on Sept. 15 in more modern times by St. Pius X. The Gospel reading for today, while of course inspiring an image of a sorrowful mother looking on as her dear son dies a horrible, unjust death, does not dwell on Mary and what she might be feeling, or not feeling because she is numb from the onslaught. Rather, it dwells on Jesus’ words and actions as he looks upon her.

Still, my mind and heart go to what she must have been feeling, the intense pain and suffering that she endured, despite her immensely strong faith. And at this time, in this place in history, as images of the pain and suffering that thousands of people endured 20 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001, flood our televisions, radios, newspapers and online news outlets once again, and also in some ways anew, we see modern-day mothers and other family members awash in anguish. The mothers of the first responders who perished; the wives, husbands and children of the airline passengers; the friends, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, and more, of those who had gone to work in the Twin Towers that fateful day – they knew, they still know, the excruciating pain of losing loved ones and the deep sorrow of injustice.

Our God – Jesus, the Christ – knew unspeakable horror, and He conquered it. His Blessed Mother knew soul-crushing sorrow, and she survived through the grace of God. Their love and care for us knows no limits and shows us that nothing can fully console and heal us except faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love.