Our Lady of Sorrows

“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” Jn 19:25

Who stands by you compassionately when you are struggling or lost? 

In the Office of Readings today, St Bernard of Clairvaux, writing in the 12^th century, calls Mary “a martyr in spirit,” because of her compassion, never abandoning her son even on the cross. Bernard writes: “Perhaps someone will say: “Had she not known before that he would not die?” Undoubtedly. “Did she not expect him to rise again at once?” Surely. “And still she grieved over her crucified Son?” Intensely. Who are you and what is the source of your wisdom that you are more surprised at the compassion of Mary than at the passion of Mary’s Son? For if he could die in body, could she not die with him in spirit? He died in body through a love greater than anyone had known. She died in spirit through a love unlike any other since his.”(1)

Standing with others in their suffering, not taking it away, not offering empty words of consolation, not trying to understand it, is a kind of death, a martyrdom. Helplessness is often the price of compassion and Mary, the mother of Jesus and our mother, helps us learn this vital Christian virtue.

Today, perhaps as you gaze at a crucifix, try to stand in solidarity and compassion with all those suffering alone.  Think of the very old in nursing homes without families.  Think of young people struggling to understand the loss of a mother to cancer. Think and pray with those who lost their jobs, their homes and their self respect. Think of the the people of Somalia scuffling anyplace to find food for their children. Don’t search for words. Just be there like Mary at the foot of the cross. Although it is terribly painful to be helpless, it can be a holy act. Our Lady of Sorrows will guide you along this path of compassion if you allow her to show you the way.