Mary could grant no relief to her Son, Mary: Day 246

Last updated on: March 23, 2016 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Mary could grant no relief to her Son, Mary: Day 246 2016-03-15T11:16:15-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Mary could grant no relief to her Son

Mothers are anxious to provide for the relief of their children when they suffer. So imagine Mary’s grief, St. Alphonsus says, when she was unable to relieve her Son’s suffering on the Cross.

Mothers ordinarily shrink from the presence of their dying children.

But when a mother is obliged to witness such a scene, she procures all possible relief for her child. She arranges his bed, so that he may be more at ease; she administers refreshments to him. In this way, the poor mother soothes her own grief.

Most afflicted of all mothers! Mary, you must witness the agony of your dying Jesus, yet you can’t grant him relief. Mary hears her Son exclaim, “I thirst!” But she can’t even give him a drop of water to refresh him in that great thirst. She can only say, as St. Vincent Ferrer remarks, “My Son, I have only the water of tears.” She sees how on that bed of torture her Son, suspended by three nails, can find no repose. She would clasp him in her arms to give him relief, or at least to let him die there if she could. But she can’t. “In vain,” says St. Bernard, “did she extend her arms; they sank back empty on her breast.”

She beholds that poor Son, who in his sea of grief seeks consolation, but in vain. For who among men will console him, since all were enemies? Even on the Cross he is taunted and blasphemed on all sides: “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads” (Mt 27:39). Some say to his face, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the Cross” (v. 40). Others, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down now from the Cross” (v. 42). Our Blessed Lady herself said to St. Bridget, “I heard some say that my Son was a thief; others, that he was an impostor; others, that no one deserved death more than he did. And every word was a new sword of grief to my heart.”

—St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Is there anyone I know who is suffering, whom I seem unable to help? Have I asked Mary to go to the aid of that person?

CLOSING PRAYER

Blessed Mother, hurry to all those who suffer alone, not because they have no one who desires to relieve their pain, but because their pain seems beyond relief. Be close to them and show yourself to them, for your presence is a healing balm.

__________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Paul Thigpen and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

A Year with Mary

Paul Thigpen

Saint Alphonsus Ligouri

Saint Benedict Press

Previous Post

March 22, 2016

At the foot of the Cross, Mary: Day 245

Next Post

March 23, 2016 CBB Review: Transformed by God's Word

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz