Our Lady of Sorrows

This is a day of solemn remembrance: Mary watched her Son die on the cross.

I confess that I haven’t had to witness death in person; I’ve led a sheltered life. I can’t imagine what it’s like to see your child’s death, someone you’ve dedicated your entire life to.

The image above is Pietà, sculpted by Michelangelo and housed at St Peter’s in the Vatican. I saw it in person about 47 years ago, and it still strikes me to my core today.

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Crucifixion

Image by Snap_it from Pixabay

Whenever I pray the Rosary, it’s a chance to really ponder the suffering that Jesus endured for our salvation.

Even death on a cross.

I’d love to think that I would have the strength to offer my life for someone else, even my most cherished loved ones. But I fear that I’d fail.

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Agony in the garden

Photo by Elti Meshau on Unsplash

Today we enter into the most intense period of our journey: the Triduum. We descend into the darkness as we realize what cruelty we have shown to our God.

Of course we also know the end of this story: glorious resurrection on the third day, at which time we recognize that our Lord is triumphant, even over death.

He promises me that I too can be triumphant, if only I follow His path.

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Crowning with thorns

Photo by Andrey Grinkevich on Unsplash

Holy week begins today. The most holy time of our entire year.

When I think about Jesus’ passion, the crown of thorns seems to be unbelievably cruel. The whole event is unfathomable, of course, but this hits my heart in a special way.

I think it came from portrayals I’ve seen in movies and plays. Can you imagine the pain involved with penetrating the skin on your head? I’ve whacked my head many times during my lifetime, and I see stars.

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