Mary's Sorrows (Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, September 15)

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Someone said that the HEART of a woman is specially made and reinforced with thick shock absorbers. If you want to learn how to endure pains, shocks and heartbreaks, go to a WOMAN for lectures. This may roughly explain the reason why suicide rate is low amongst the womenfolk. Not only does a woman endure her own pains, she is ever ready to accommodate the pains of another. 

Just like every one of us, Mary's heart was severely afflicted but she didn't break down. It's not just because she is a woman that she was able to endure & remain strong in her pains. She was able to endure and remain strong because she gladly accepted her situation as her own share of the cross. 

Imagine the sleepless nights she had because of SIMEON'S PROPHECY! Imagine the physical pains of her FLIGHT INTO EGYPT! Imagine how restless she was when her CHILD JESUS GOT MISSING IN THE TEMPLE! Imagine how speechless she was upon MEETING HER SON ON THE WAY TO CALVARY! Imagine the torrent of tears flowing down her cheeks as she watched her SON DIE ON THE CROSS! Imagine the shock she had as SHE RECEIVED HER SON'S BODY IN HER ARMS! Imagine how devastated she was as she saw the BODY OF HER SON BEING PLACED IN THE TOMB! These are the Seven Sorrows of Our Blessed Mother.  

Yes, she was full of grace! But she was not spared of afflictions. She was ever ready to be part of her son's sufferings. In our own afflictions in life, she also remains ever close to us her children. We can learn from her as we empathize with those who suffer. In our interaction with those who suffer, what is much more important is the TENDERNESS and LOVE that we show. People can feel lost and alone when they are struck down by misfortunes. They might withdraw into themselves and separate themselves from the arena of life, which could be more harmful than their physical afflictions. Our material support may not always go far in cushioning their pains. Our LOVE and AFFECTION can make a whole lot of difference in lessening their emotional and physical pains.


 

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