Sept. 15, 2010 Wednesday: Our Lady of Sorrows
Thomas A Kempis (1380-1471) is well known for his spiritual writings some of which has been edited and assembled into the four books known as The Imitation of Christ. He also wrote extensively on Blessed Mother. Those writings have been compiled into four books known as The Imitation of Mary. On this Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows, I include here an excerpt from Book 2, Chapter 5: Mary's Communion with Jesus.
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I bless and praise and exalt you, holy Mary, my venerated Lady, for your pure and holy life that was so dear to God and the Angels--that life you spent with Jesus through long years of poverty and silence.
It was tested by many sufferings and adversities; it is offered to all the followers of Jesus as an example to be devotedly imitated and also offered in a marvelous way to the universal Church until the end of time as a support in its trials.
Be sorrowful now, my soul, with the sorrowing Virgin, the weeping Mother, loving Mary. If you love Mary, you should share her many sorrows with her, in order that she may help you in your sufferings.
Stop for a moment, therefore, and learn from the Virgin Mary how to mourn, for her bitter tears can move your heart to its depths. See her at the foot of the Cross, racked by profound sorrow, this woman who on a day long past was filled with heavenly music at the manger.
She is overwhelmed by the cruelty of the soldiers, this woman who at one time was honored by the royal Magi. She is covered with the blood of her Son, this woman who had been caressed by His candid gaze.
See Him hanging on the Cross between two thieves, this Man Who had so often worked miracles among the people. Contemplate Him, turned almost into a leper by the destructive wounds, this Man Who had healed many lepers.
Look at Him, overwhelmed by countless sufferings, this Man Who had rid the sick of their sufferings. Contemplate Him, conquered by death, this Man who had called dead Lazarus back to life. All joys are here turned into sorrows, everything sweet into bitterness.
The radiant Star of the Sea is battered by many fearful storms, but her mind, which remains fixed on God, is not overcome by human malice. No, she stands upright by the Cross with unwearying patience, with persevering love, without fear of those who threaten her with death, without fleeing from those who curse her.
She endures everything with peaceful soul and endeavors to stand beside her humiliated Son, giving no answer to her cruel enemies. She says no words of contempt, makes no sign of indignation. She only utters deep groans, weeps bitterly, grieves anxiously, shares closely in her Son's suffering, and is immensely afflicted.
She does not grow angry with the crucifiers, but prays for the slanderers; she is saddened by those who deride and blaspheme Christ and she prays for them. Thus, she stands by the Cross in a sea of tears, and by her example of meekness brings a consoling patience to all in distress.
O all you who pass on the way to Calvary, look upon the sorrowful presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Look to the right of the Cross and see Mary, the Mother of Christ.
See to it then, devout soul, that you imprint these things on your heart. Be meek and courageous when the moment of temptation comes. Do not be troubled and do not despair if you are deprived of something you greatly love or if you are denied something you think necessary for you. The friend of Jesus are often tried by serious afflictions.
After all, if God did not spare even His own Son but handed Him over to intense sufferings for the sake of us all, what claim do you have to better treatment? If Christ was not self-seeking but was obedient and ready to endure base and painful attacks, why do you fear fatigue and suffering?
Why do you not rather embrace difficulties and hardships out of love for the crucified Jesus? If He stored up many afflictions for His holy Mother here on earth, if He allowed her to be often tried and to suffer greatly, how could you ever live without trials?
If you study all the friends of God, you will not find one who assailed the sea of this life without experiencing harsh trials. Take, then, from the sight of the crucified Christ and of His Blessed Mother, the example of unwearying patience, and you will never be afraid to endure sacrifices fo your salvation and for the recompense that will come to you from the infinite goodness of Jesus. If you act in this way, you will be able to enjoy the vision of His face for all eternity.
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I bless and praise and exalt you, holy Mary, my venerated Lady, for your pure and holy life that was so dear to God and the Angels--that life you spent with Jesus through long years of poverty and silence.
It was tested by many sufferings and adversities; it is offered to all the followers of Jesus as an example to be devotedly imitated and also offered in a marvelous way to the universal Church until the end of time as a support in its trials.
Stop for a moment, therefore, and learn from the Virgin Mary how to mourn, for her bitter tears can move your heart to its depths. See her at the foot of the Cross, racked by profound sorrow, this woman who on a day long past was filled with heavenly music at the manger.
She is overwhelmed by the cruelty of the soldiers, this woman who at one time was honored by the royal Magi. She is covered with the blood of her Son, this woman who had been caressed by His candid gaze.
See Him hanging on the Cross between two thieves, this Man Who had so often worked miracles among the people. Contemplate Him, turned almost into a leper by the destructive wounds, this Man Who had healed many lepers.
Look at Him, overwhelmed by countless sufferings, this Man Who had rid the sick of their sufferings. Contemplate Him, conquered by death, this Man who had called dead Lazarus back to life. All joys are here turned into sorrows, everything sweet into bitterness.
The radiant Star of the Sea is battered by many fearful storms, but her mind, which remains fixed on God, is not overcome by human malice. No, she stands upright by the Cross with unwearying patience, with persevering love, without fear of those who threaten her with death, without fleeing from those who curse her.
She endures everything with peaceful soul and endeavors to stand beside her humiliated Son, giving no answer to her cruel enemies. She says no words of contempt, makes no sign of indignation. She only utters deep groans, weeps bitterly, grieves anxiously, shares closely in her Son's suffering, and is immensely afflicted.
She does not grow angry with the crucifiers, but prays for the slanderers; she is saddened by those who deride and blaspheme Christ and she prays for them. Thus, she stands by the Cross in a sea of tears, and by her example of meekness brings a consoling patience to all in distress.
See to it then, devout soul, that you imprint these things on your heart. Be meek and courageous when the moment of temptation comes. Do not be troubled and do not despair if you are deprived of something you greatly love or if you are denied something you think necessary for you. The friend of Jesus are often tried by serious afflictions.
After all, if God did not spare even His own Son but handed Him over to intense sufferings for the sake of us all, what claim do you have to better treatment? If Christ was not self-seeking but was obedient and ready to endure base and painful attacks, why do you fear fatigue and suffering?
Why do you not rather embrace difficulties and hardships out of love for the crucified Jesus? If He stored up many afflictions for His holy Mother here on earth, if He allowed her to be often tried and to suffer greatly, how could you ever live without trials?
If you study all the friends of God, you will not find one who assailed the sea of this life without experiencing harsh trials. Take, then, from the sight of the crucified Christ and of His Blessed Mother, the example of unwearying patience, and you will never be afraid to endure sacrifices fo your salvation and for the recompense that will come to you from the infinite goodness of Jesus. If you act in this way, you will be able to enjoy the vision of His face for all eternity.
