The only sorrow in which Mary complained, Mary: Day 326

Last updated on: June 11, 2016 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

The only sorrow in which Mary complained, Mary: Day 326 2016-06-08T11:02:04-05:00 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.

The only sorrow in which Mary complained

When the Blessed Mother found her young Son at last in the temple, her words were not a rebuke, St. Alphonsus insists. But they were a loving complaint.

The only sorrow in which Mary complained was her search for the boy Jesus in Jerusalem. She lovingly and earnestly asked of Jesus, after she had found him in the temple: “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously” (Lk 2:48).

By these words she had no idea of reproving Jesus, as some heretics have blasphemously asserted. Instead, she meant only to express how great was the grief she had experienced during his absence, because of the great love she bore him. “It was not a rebuke,” says St. Dionysius the Carthusian, “but a loving complaint.”

This sword so cruelly pierced the heart of the most holy Virgin that the Blessed Benvenuta Bojani desired one day to share the holy mother’s pain in this sorrow. When she entreated her for this favor, Mary appeared to her with the infant Jesus in her arms.

But while Benvenuta was enjoying the sight of this most beautiful Child, in a moment she was deprived of it. So great was her grief that she turned to Mary, begging her to lessen it, so that she might not die from grief. In three days the holy Virgin again appeared, and said: “Know, my daughter, that your sorrow is only a small part of the sorrow that I endured when I lost my Son.” —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

What would you say is the difference between a rebuke and a “loving com- plaint”? Do I sometimes make “loving complaints” to Jesus in prayer? How does he usually respond?

CLOSING PRAYER

Jesus, sometimes I find myself saying with your disciples in the ship battered by the storm, “Lord, save me, I’m perishing! Don’t you care?” (See Mt 8:25; Lk 4:38.) But then you tell me, as you told the sea, “Peace, be still” (Mk 4:39), and my soul is quieted.

__________________________________________________________________________
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

June 10, 2016

The greatest of Mary’s sorrows, Mary: Day 325

Next Post

June 12, 2016 Mary’s sufferings grew as Jesus grew, Mary: Day 327

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