“Love does not consist in great sweetness of devotion, but in a fervent determination to strive to please God in all things…” (Saint Teresa of Avila, “Interior Castle”).
Today – on this feast of Our Lady of Sorrows – I have been reflecting on the role of the Madonna, whose heart was pierced by a sword as foretold by the Prophet Simeon… “Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, ‘This Child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.’” (Luke 2:33-35).
Saint Padre Pio advised, “Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils f the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.”
And I have been reflecting on that advice today. You see, the Madonna is the most marvellous soul ever created. Even more marvellous and beautiful than all the angels and all the other Saints. The Blessed Virgin is a soul of such perfection and beauty that She was considered before time and space.
In his book, “Hail Holy Queen”, Scott Hahn writes, “Christ’s work is our redemption, which He shared in an unparalleled way with Mary – to whom God entrusted such tasks as feeding His Son with her own milk, … and accompanying Him all the way to the cross, where she gave her sorrowful yes to His self-offering. In short, the Father willed that His Son’s entire existence as a man would hinge, so to speak, upon the ongoing consent of Mary.”
You see, after her words to the servant at the Marriage Feast of Cana, where “His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you.’” (John 2:5), Our Blessed Mother is completely silent in the Gospels. We do not hear one word from her again. Even at the Cross – she stood in sorrowful silence.
And I have been reflecting on that today. Because I have been considering myself and my own responses to the suffering of my own children. As their mother, I have an innate desire to protect my children from suffering – even when I know (deep down) that the suffering that they are enduring is for their good. And because of this, it can be difficult for me – at times – to stay silent when I see my children suffering. But what of the Blessed Virgin? Her Son could NOT benefit from suffering. He is God. He is already perfect. And yet – as a reflection of God – the Blessed Virgin remained silent at the foot of the Cross.
There she stood, steadfastly, showing her Blessed Son her Holy Face, and waiting until His death. No complaint. No denial. Nothing. Silence. TOTAL ABANDONMENT TO GOD’S HOLY WILL. Seriously. It did not look holy at Calvary. It was a place reeking of torture and death. The men on the crosses beside her Son were swearing and ranting in pain. The soldiers were drinking and gambling. The crowd were jeering and berating. Christ’s death was unjust. Christ’s death RUINED the Blessed Virgin’s Earthly life. And yet – there she stood. Calm. Sorrowful. Waiting silently for Her PERFECT CHILD – GOD HIMSELF – to die.
For the Blessed Virgin practiced true love, as described centuries later by Saint Teresa of Avila in her text, “Interior Castle” where she said, “Perhaps we do not know what love is, nor does this greatly surprise me. Love does not consist in great sweetness of devotion, but in a fervent determination to strive to please God in all things, in avoiding, as far as possible, all that would offend Him, and in praying for the increase of the glory and honour of His Son and for the growth of the Catholic Church.” (p.54-55).
And I have been thinking about that today as I reflect on the sorrow of the Virgin, on this most sorrowful of feast days.
For the Blessed Virgin saw the Will of God amid the flies that fed on the blood of the dying, and she heard him in the groans of the dying men. The Blessed Virgin saw the Will of God in all injustice. And she loved – with “fervent determination to strive to please God in all things.”
And when I consider such a wonder, I am struck with awe… For only God Himself could ever conceive of such a worthy soul as the soul of the Sorrowful Virgin. Only God Himself…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.