Our Lady’s sorrow at the Cross, Mary: Day 332

Last updated on: June 17, 2016 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Our Lady’s sorrow at the Cross, Mary: Day 332 2016-06-08T17:41:22-05:00 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.

Our Lady’s sorrow at the Cross

Can we even begin to imagine the depth of sorrow that Our Lady felt as she watched her dear Son die on the cross? Blessed Henry Suso imagines her tell- ing what she experienced on that dreadful day.

All the sorrow that ever could afflict a heart would be like only a drop in

the ocean compared to the unfathomable sorrow that my maternal heart at that time endured. Keep in mind that the dearer, the sweeter, the more precious the beloved one is, the more insupportable is his loss and death. Now where on the whole earth was there ever a more tender one born, a lovelier one seen, than my own best beloved one, Jesus Christ, by whom and in whom I had entire posses- sion of all that the world could bestow? I was already dead to myself, and lived only in him. So when at last my own fair Love was slain, then only did I utterly die. And as my only love was but one and, even more, dear to me above all other loves, so my only sorrow was but one, and a sorrow above all sorrows that ever were expressed.

His fair and gentle humanity was, to me, a delightful spectacle. His dignified divinity was, to my eyes, a sweet contemplation. To think of him was my heart’s delight; to speak of him was my pastime; to hear his sweet words was music to my soul. He was my heart’s mirror, my soul’s comfort. Heaven and earth, and all that is within them, I possessed in his sweet presence. When I saw my Love suspended in mortal agony before me, what a terrible sight! What a moment was that! How my heart died within me! How my courage was extinguished! How my strength failed me! How all my senses forsook me!

I looked up, but I could not help my Child. I looked down and saw only those who so cruelly abused him. How narrow then to me was all this world! I had lost all heart; my voice had fled from me; and I had lost all strength.

—Blessed Henry Suso, The Parable of the Pilgrim, I, 17

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Have I ever meditated for long on the depths of grief and pain suffered by Mary as she watched Jesus die? How might such a meditation increase my love for her, and my gratitude for what she endured in union with her Son for the sake of a sinful world?

CLOSING PRAYER

From a prayer of Blessed Henry Suso: Pure Lady and noble Queen of Heaven and Earth, touch my stony heart with one of your scalding tears, one of those you shed in bitter dis- tress for your tender Child under the wretched cross, so that my heart of stone may be softened.

_____________________________________________________________________________
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 17, 2016

CBB Giveaway: Mother Angelica Her Grand Silence OR Discovering our Next Mission from God

Next Post

June 17, 2016 CBB Review: Mother Angelica Her Grand Silence

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