Day Six: Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Theme: The Sorrowful Mother of La Salette

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows: Lectionary: 639

Reading 1: 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Beloved, this saying is trustworthy:whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable,married only once, temperate, self-controlled,decent, hospitable, able to teach,not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle,not contentious, not a lover of money.He must manage his own household well,keeping his children under control with perfect dignity;for if a man does not know how to manage his own household,how can he take care of the Church of God?He should not be a recent convert,so that he may not become conceitedand thus incur the Devil’s punishment.He must also have a good reputation among outsiders,so that he may not fall into disgrace, the Devil’s trap.

Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful,not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain,holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.Moreover, they should be tested first;then, if there is nothing against them,let them serve as deacons.Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers,but temperate and faithful in everything.Deacons may be married only onceand must manage their children and their households well.Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standingand much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Alleluia:

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary; without dying you won the martyr's crown beneath the Cross of the Lord. R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 2:33-35 (second option taken since the first option is same gospel as Feast of La Salette)

Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,“Behold, this child is destinedfor the fall and rise of many in Israel,and to be a sign that will be contradictedand you yourself a sword will pierceso that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

La Salette Scripture Reflection: Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

Luke 2:33-36: "…you yourself a sword will pierce…”

As many mothers will readily share, giving birth to their children, they are tied to them with a natural bond that will last into eternity. Luke makes quite clear that Mary and her Son, Jesus, are destined to be linked in life as well as in his suffering and death when he quotes Simeon’s prophetic words, “and you yourself a sword will pierce…”

Humankind has marveled for centuries at the magnificent depiction of Mary’s deep yet peaceful sorrow in Michelangelo’s Renaissance sculpture of the Pietà, the only work he ever signed. With artistic license, he depicted Mary as very young and Jesus’ body as only lightly scarred from his passion and death. Yet he expressed so well the intimate bond between Mary and her Son.

From our baptism we are born into the pattern of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. That is why Mary

at La Salette rightfully calls us her children, whom she loves dearly and unceasingly prays for us. Her compassion and devotedness to us shines forth in her personal interest in Maximin’s father who anguishes over possibly not being able to feed his family that winter.

Isaiah reminds us of our own bond to Mary’s Son in his passion: “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows! He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him” (Isaiah 53: 4-5).

With such loving people to watch over us and care for us, we remember on this Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, how much we are loved by our Weeping Mother and her Divine Son.

Some Reflection Questions: How do I express my love and concern for the members of my family? Has someone I know lost a family member or friend and might appreciate a kind word from me?