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Just as the readings for the 24th Sunday were replaced yesterday by those for the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, so today's gospel is replaced by the one for the feast of OUR LADY OF SORROWS. The first reading, however, is the one for ordinary time, recounting Paul's version of the institution of the Eucharist. That is fortuitous indeed! For it links with Mary the central mysteries of our faith: the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross, which we proclaim now in every Eucharist, as we do again today in the Responsorial Antiphon: "Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again." Our newly renovated Church, St. John's at Creighton, features this Gospel scene of Mary and the Beloved Disciple at the foot of the cross, very large, hanging over the altar. What a perfect image to reflect upon today! "Have that mind in you which Christ had," urges Paul in his letter to the Philippians, "Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave...he humbled himself becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross." Who more fully understood this, embraced it more perfectly, and continues to help us enter into it, than his mother, Mary, who "kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart"? Perhaps our best prayer today will be to simply stand there with her, be the beloved disciple, and ponder this unbelievable mystery! And, in our hearts, at least, "proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes again." Some time during this contemplation, we might be moved to say with deep devotion the "Stabat Mater," which is to be recited at today's Masses. I would also like to draw out an obvious lesson for all of us from this Gospel scene and from the witness and intercession of Mary, who was told by Simeon, "And you yourself a sword (of sorrow) will pierce, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." It is only through suffering or love that any of us can really enter into the mystery of Christ, of forgiveness, of salvation. Otherwise we remain locked, even hardened, in our dualistic thinking, which keeps us focused on who's right and who's wrong, on judging others, on deciding who's in and who's out, etc. -- the curse of Christianity (and all religions) -- which is exactly what Christ died to end and which can only come to us when we remember that we are children one and all. We too are called to love, to put up with, even to suffer for, every person on the face of this earth, for each of whom Christ laid down His life and invites us now and always, as exalted Lord, to do the same for each other. That's the only WWJD we are certain of, and, as the prayer after communion reminds us: "As we honor the compassionate love of the Virgin Mary, may we make up in our own lives whatever is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the good of the Church." Yes, that's heroic sanctity, but it is to that we are all called. |