Federico Suarez
For Reflection: In light of Matthew 7:14, how did the narrow way prepare Mary for Golgotha? How has each contradiction and sorrow of your life prepared you for the next? With supernatural outlook, see how these sufferings and difficulties have formed the path of your own Via Dolorosa. Giving your fiat at the foot of this, your cross, unite them to the Cross of Our Lord. Journal your insights.
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
(Edith Stein)
For Reflection: Recall again that Scripture and Tradition tell us that Mary stood at the foot of the Cross. What is the significance of this stance and what does it indicate about Mary? How was this a “dying to one’s natural self,” in the sense and emotions as well as in the spirit? Read Matthew 7:14. Mary’s fiat gained was her gate to the narrow way, a way she followed all her life. What is your current sorrow? How can it be a narrow way for you?
In a garden Mary stood when Springtime’s radiant beauty Wrapped the world in sunlight and filled her heart with joy. Down the garden-path there ran a slender little Figure Bringing her a gift of love - He, her God, her Boy! Mary opened wide her arms to take her sheaf of lilies: "Mother!" called her little Son, and never had she heard In the angel’s message, in brooklet, or in bird-song, Music half so lovely as that one tender word.
On a hill-top Mary stood one sadder, later Springtime. All the earth was wrapped in gloom beneath that blood-stained Cross; Memories thronged about her, memories of His Childhood, Adding to her loneliness, her pain, her sense of loss. Mary opened wide her arms but His were nailed securely "Mother!" breathed her dying Son, and never had she heard In her sword-pierced heart that knew the very depths of sorrow Anything approaching the pathos of that word.
"Mother! Mother Mary!" a million hearts are calling, "Open wide again those arms, and in their warm embrace, Take the children Jesus gave you on that darkened hill-top When He named you Mother of the sin-stained human race."
Sr. Maryanna. Robert, Cyril. Our Lady’s Praise in Poetry. Poughkeepsie, New York: Marist Press, 1944. From the Mary Pages, University of Dayton.
For Reflection: Today’s poem gives one person’s reflections on what Mary could have been thinking and feeling as she watched her Son die. What aspect of this poem helps you to enter most deeply into Mary’s fifth dolor? Why do you think it touches you so. Prayerfully read St. John’s account of the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (19:16-30). Stand beneath the cross with Our Lady. What are you thinking and experiencing in that moment? How do you show solidarity with Our Lady? She with you? What suffering of your own life do you seek to unite to hers?
Unfortunately, we have learned that this letter was written prior to the announcement of President Obama's "accommodation." Apparently, the print version of the CHA publication "didn't get the memo" that Sr. Keehan had changed her mind and was now backing the mandate.
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