GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 15TH SEPTEMBER 2017
MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS
FIRST READING: 1Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14
PSALM: Psalm 16: 1-2, 5, 7-8,11
GOSPEL: John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35
THEME: YES TILL THE END
From Nazareth to Jerusalem and from the day of annunciation to the day of Christ’s crucifixion, Mary had only one ‘Yes’ – it was a yes to the will of God.
The ‘Yes’ of Mary brought her joy when she set eyes for the first time on her new born baby and that same ‘Yes’ brought her pain as she watched her beloved son die in an excruciating manner. She cradled Jesus in her arms on the day of his birth and she cradled him in her arms on the day of his death (as depicted in the famous work of art of Michelangelo – the pietà).
Simeon had told Mary: “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against and a sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Lk. 2:34-35).
Mary stands out as a model in our quest to say yes to the will of God. She teaches us not to lose faith when in obedience to the will of God we experience suffering. By her own example, she tells every follower of Christ to hold on to their yes of faith. A yes on the day of marriage, final profession of religious vows or ordination to the priesthood should be a yes till the end. A yes to live for Christ in any other state of life should be a faithful yes.
The cross ought not to make us turn our backs toward God. Disappointments and apparent human failures ought not to dilute our ‘Yes’. In the footsteps of Mary, let our ‘Yes’ be yes till the very end.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, in giving your mother to your disciple at the foot of the cross, you have given Mary to me as mother, model and an intercessor. May her story inspire me to follow you at all times and in every situation I find myself and through her intercession may I never lose faith in you. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).