For this Sacred Heart Friday, I bring up the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. It recalls Mary’s seven painful sorrows throughout her life; I believe she often ‘pondered them in her Heart.’
- The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34)
- The Flight into Egypt by the Holy Family (Matthew 2:13)
- The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:43)
- Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother along the Way of the Cross (Luke 23:26)
- Mary stands at the Foot of the Cross (John 19:25)
- Mary receives the dead body of Jesus in her arms (Matthew 27:57)
- Jesus is Laid in the Tomb (John 19:40)
Sorrows unite the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary. The Sorrowful Heart of Mary was pierced in particular by the sufferings of Jesus during His Passion and Death. How could they not?
Jesus was sorrowful even unto death, yet he endured His Passion for our sake. As I have mentioned in previous posts in this series, several approved private revelations have spoken of the closeness of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary: as she was how Our Lord came into this world, then she certainly would have been attuned to the pains endured by His Heart during the tortures of Good Friday.
This lends a sublime empathy for Our Lady. She suffered for Him, and since we are the adopted sons and daughters of God the Father, we are siblings to Our Lord; with Mary being our Mother. Therefore, just as Mary was united with Our Lord in His sufferings; she is united to us in ours. Recall all the sufferings you endured (and caused) during your drinking and drugging days. Mary was there. You were not alone.
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