Friday, September 14, 2012

 

OUR LADY OF SORROWS

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012
OUR LADY OF SORROWS
SATURDAY 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR II

1 Cor 10:14-22 / Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35

1 CORINTHIANS 10:14-22
Therefore, dear friends, shun the cult of idols. I address you as intelligent persons; judge what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a communion with the blood of Christ? And the bread that we break, is it not a communion with the body of Christ? The bread is one, and so we, though many, form one body, sharing the one bread. Consider the Israelites. For them, to eat of the victim is to come into communion with its altar. What does all that mean? That the meat is really consecrated to the idol, or that the idol is a being. However, when the pagans offer a sacrifice, the sacrifice goes to the demons, not to God. I do not want you to come into fellowship with demons. You cannot drink at the same time from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons. You cannot share in the table of the Lord and in the table of the demons. Do we want, perhaps, to provoke the jealousy of the Lord? Could we be stronger than he?

LUKE 2:33-35
His father and mother wondered at what was said about the child. Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Know this: your son is a sign, a sign established for the falling and rising of many in Israel, a sign of contradiction; and a sword will pierce your own soul, so that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed."

REFLECTION
Following Jesus has become increasingly unpopular and counter-cultural, causing us to be singled out from many others. The sword will also pierce our own heart, and when that hour of trial comes, it will reveal what is really in our heart. It will manifest our degree of love and generosity. Mary's association with Jesus would require many a sword to transfix her own heart and these moments would again and again show the depth of Mary's words to the angel, "I am the servant of the Lord."

What was that sword for Mary? It revealed itself in many ways: the insults she received for being a virgin mother, the sorrow she felt at seeing so many people reject her son, the agony she shared with him on Calvary. Through all these experiences, her heart was united with Christ's. She participated intimately in his passion, death, and resurrection. The trials of life permit us to reinforce what is best and strongest. It places us face to face with the fundamental decisions of life. Whom are we going to follow? Who will be the real master of our life?

Let us ask Jesus to strengthen us for our mission on earth and never allow us to falter or become dismayed, but rather take courage from his example and that of his holy Mother. If we are true followers of Jesus, then we will live our challenges today and every day with a conquering heart, never letting anything get us down or upset, but persevering with a faith-filled and Christ-like disposition. Let this be our prayer today: "Lord Jesus, help me have a heart like that of your mother, always ready and willing to do your will, even when it means a sword of sorrow."

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Fr. Ismael Zuloaga, SJ
- Mon Torres
- Fleur Torres
- Ditas dela Paz
… for the personal intentions of Anabelle Alves
… In Memoriam: Eriberta C. Calvario
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Maximino Ilagan, Rosita Ilagan, Baby Quicho, Clarita Quicho, Natividad and Hermogenes Diangkinay
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Maria Elmer R. Evidente
- Birthday: Robinson Chua Hwan
- Thanksgiving: Michelle V. Encarnacion
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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