Deuteronomy 32:10-13, Hebrew5:7-9, Luke 2:33-35, John 19:25-27

Deuteronomy 32:10-13

10 In the wilderness he found them,

in a barren, howling wasteland;

he shielded them and cared for them

as the apple of his eye.

11 Like an eagle watching its nest,

hovering over its young,

supporting them on its spread wings

and carrying them on its pinions,

12 the Lord alone led them,

without the aid of a foreign god.

13 He made them ride on the heights

and live on the produce of the earth.

He gave them honey to suck from the rock,

olive oil from the hard stony crag,

This is what You do my Lord for those who are Your Own.  The world offers many lures to draw away those who have committed their lives to You.  These You watch over and guard zealously night and day, for they have taken refuge in You.  They love You and they trust You to keep them safe from the snares of the enemy.  You feed them on the finest wheat of Your Word, You give them honey that overflows from You who is their Rock and salvation.  You bless and anoint them with the oil of gladness and they nestle close to You safe in the shelter of Your love and protection.

Hebrews 5:7-9

7 Christ, in the days of his mortal life, offered his sacrifice with tears and cries. He prayed to him who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his humble submission. 8 Although he was Son, he learned through suffering what obedience was, 9 and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for those who obey him.

Beloved, sometimes when we experience great pain, suffering and anguish, there is a certain piercing cry that accompanies our prayer.  We are on our knees and we know that our only hope is You.  This kind of prayer finds an almost immediate response.  You Yourself come to console as lovingly and tenderly as only You who have experienced the depths of human suffering can. 

Obedience is never easy because pride gets in the way - but once mastered it is the source of perfect peace and  joy.  As you will, so may it be with me, my Lord.

Luke 2:33-35

33 His father and mother wondered at what was said about the child. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, “See him; he will be for the rise or fall of the multitudes of Israel. He shall stand as a sign of con­tra­diction, 35 while a sword will pierce your own soul. Then the secret thoughts of many may be brought to light.”

Both Gospel passages recommended in today's Liturgy have much to say although the verses are few.  Mary's gaze was always turned towards her Son. His joys, His sufferings, His rejection by men would be keenly felt by her as if they were her own.  In addition to these, she would have her own share of sorrows, not the least being that often she would not understand.  She accepted, pondered deeply and treasured everything in her heart.

John 19:25-27

• 25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister Mary, who was the wife of Cleophas, and Mary of Magdala. 26 When Jesus saw the Mother, and the disciple whom he loved, he said to the Mother, “Woman, this is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “There is your mother.” And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home.

  

In the Gospel of John we see Jesus in great agony, He is struggling to breathe, His lungs are on the point of collapse and He looks at His Mother and the disciple whom He loves and He gives her to each one of us as our Mama as well.  For His sake and for the love He has for us, she gladly embraces as her  own.  Let us take our Mother home with us and give her the authority to rule and reign as Queen not only of our home but our life as well.