Reflect today on the perfect love of the heart of our Blessed Mother

"Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself will pierce a sword so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Luke 2: 34-35

What a profound, meaningful and very real feast we are celebrating today. Today we try to enter the deep sorrow of our Blessed Mother's heart as she endured the sufferings of her Son.

Mother Mary loved her Son Jesus with the perfect love of a mother. Interestingly, it was that perfect love that had in her heart for Jesus the source of her deep spiritual suffering. Her love led her to be present to Jesus in his cross and in his sufferings. And for this reason, as Jesus suffered, so did his mother.

But his suffering was not of despair, it was a suffering of love. Therefore, his pain was not a sadness; rather, it was a profound sharing of all that Jesus had endured. His heart was perfectly united with that of his Son and, therefore, he endured everything he endured. This is true love on the deepest and most beautiful level.

Today, in this memorial of her Sorrowful Heart, we are called to live in union with the pain of Our Lady. When we love her, we find ourselves experiencing the same pain and suffering that her heart still feels because of the sins of the world. Those sins, including our sins, are what nailed her Son to the Cross.

When we love our Blessed Mother and her Son Jesus, we will also grieve for sin; first ours and then the sins of others. But it is important to know that the pain we feel for sin is also a pain of love. It is holy pain that ultimately motivates us to deeper compassion and deeper unity with those around us, especially those who are hurt and those who are caught in sin. It also motivates us to turn our backs on sin in our life.

Reflect today on the perfect love of the heart of our Blessed Mother. That love is capable of rising above all suffering and pain and it is the same love that God wants to put in your heart.

Lord, help me to love with the love of Your dear Mother. Help me feel the same holy pain she did and allow that holy pain to deepen my concern and compassion for all who suffer. Jesus I believe in you. Mother Mary, pray for us.