Honoring the Sorrows of Mary: An Invitation
This Lent, I have been especially mindful of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Although this isn't a specifically Lenten devotion — bringing together as it does events drawn from the entire life of Jesus — it nonetheless invites us to reflect on the role Mary played in the full story of salvation, particularly in those times of sadness and fear that are an essential part of the Gospel story. A strong tie of faith binds Mary’s sorrows to those we experience throughout life. Her faith, resilience, courage, and (especially) hope allowed her to find the hand of God at work, even in the most devastating events of her life. The Seven Sorrows of Mary are: 1. The Prophecy of Simeon (cf. Luke 2:34-35 ) 2. The Flight into Egypt (cf. Matthew 2:13-14 ) 3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (cf. Luke 2:43-45 ) 4. Meeting Jesus As He Carries the Cross (cf. Luke 23:27 ) 5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (cf. John 19:18, 25-27 ) 6. Jesus Is Taken Down From the Cross (cf. Mark 15:43-4...