December 29, Fifth Day Octave Christmas

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! — Psalm 96:11

Mass reading: 1 John 2:3-11 / Luke 2:22-35

Our Lady of Sorrows 

“ A nd you yourself a sword will pierce.” What a way to greet a young mother bringing her only child to the Temple as required by Old Testament law! It must be terribly difficult to be informed by a doctor that you have serious medical condition but to be told that heart-wrenching pain awaits you — not knowing when and how it will come — must roost itself in the crevices of your heart. 

The innocence of the first Christmas has this shadow cast upon it. Mary and her Son will tread a rough path, but sacrifice is the language of love. It’s because she shared so much in Jesus’ pain that she is called the “co-redemptrix.” How humbled we are by their love. 

Prayer: Mother Mary, be with me when calamities and bad news overwhelm me.