Twenty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Lk 7:31-35 (Jn 19: 25-27 / Lk 2: 33-35)
Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
MARY STOOD AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS: Jesus is sorrowful about the people he is addressing. He scolds them, you have ears but you do not want to hear or learn. These people blame Jesus calling him a glutton and a drunkard, because he associates with sinners. God speaks to us through different people and so we should not ignore anyone. We need to listen attentively to the message from God. God can use anyone. As we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, let us see a mother who is full of compassion to his suffering son and to us. She expresses the love of Jesus to us as she stands at the foot of the cross. The sword of sorrow which Simeon foretold, pierces her soul. As Jesus suffers on the cross, so does Mary.
PRAYER: Mary, intercede for us with your Son.
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SORROWFUL LADY: The title, Our Lady of Sorrows, given to our Blessed Mother focuses on her intense suffering and grief during the passion and death of our Lord. Traditionally, this suffering was not limited to the passion and death event; rather, it comprised the seven sorrows of Mary (Luke 2:34-35). In all, the prophesy of Simeon that a sword would pierce our Blessed Mother’s heart was fulfilled in these events. For this reason, Mary is sometimes depicted with her heart exposed and with seven swords piercing it. More importantly, each new suffering was received with the courage, love, and trust that echoed her fiat, let it be done unto me according to Thy word. Therefore, as we honor our Blessed Mother, our Lady of Sorrows, we honor her as the faithful disciple and exemplar of faith. Looking to the example of Mary, may we too unite our sufferings to our Lord, facing them with courage, love, and trust.
DAILY GOSPEL 