Today is the memorial of Mary as the Sorrowful Mother. Early Christians have identified seven moments of great sorrow in Mary’s life, and these are the following:
1. The prophecy of Simeon (Gospel of Luke 2:34)
2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13)
3. The loss of the child Jesus in Jerusalem (Luke 2:43)
4. The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the way of the cross. (Luke 23:26)
5. The crucifixion ( John 19:25)
6. The taking down of Jesus from the cross. (Matthew 27:57)
7. The burial of Jesus. (John 19:40)
The sorrows of Mary clearly highlights the fact that being close to Jesus means being close to His cross, being close to his suffering. Yet this truth did not deter Mary from following Jesus closely and without regret.
The suffering of Jesus did not shake Mary’s faith. The everyday problems we face cannot compare to the sorrows of Mary and this certainty should enhearten us to stand committed to our faith in times of problems and troubles. The difficulties we encounter in life should not cause us to doubt God’s mercy and faithfulness. Indeed they should strengthen our resolve to follow Jesus no matter what the cost.
What gives me encouragement every time I face a hurdle in life is the realization that challenges and difficulties are inevitable facts of life and part of following Christ. Knowing that being close to Jesus means being close to his cross does not discourage me. For being close to Jesus also means being close to Heaven.
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