Mary returns home to weep for Jesus, Mary: Day 343

Mary returns home to weep for Jesus, Mary: Day 343 June 28, 2016

year_with_mary_alphonsus_2Mary returns home to weep for Jesus

St. Alphonsus imagines the first hours Mary spends at home after returning from Jesus’ burial.

After accompanying Jesus’ body to the tomb, and adoring the Cross as she passed by it, Mary returned home. Once she arrived, the afflicted mother cast her eyes around, and no longer saw her Jesus. Instead of the sweet presence of her dear Son, the memory of his beautiful life and cruel death presented itself before her eyes.

She remembered how she had pressed that Son to her breast in the crib of Bethlehem, and the conversations she had held with him during the many years they had lived in the house of Nazareth. She remembered their mutual affection, their loving looks, the words of eternal life that fell from those divine lips. And then the sad scene she had witnessed that day again presented itself before her. The nails, the thorns, the lacerated flesh of her Son, those deep wounds, those exposed bones, that open mouth, those dimmed eyes, all presented themselves before her. What a night of sorrow was that night for Mary!

The afflicted mother, turning to St. John, mournfully said: “John, tell me where is your Master?” Then she asked Mary Magdalene: “Daughter, tell me, where is your beloved? O God, who has taken him from us?” Mary wept, and all who were present wept with her. Yet you, my soul, fail to weep! So turn to Mary, and speak to her with St. Bonaventure, saying: “My own sweet Lady, let me weep; you are innocent; I am guilty.” Beg her at least to let you weep with her. While she weeps for love, you must weep because of sorrow for your sins. —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Am I ever so grieved by my sins that I weep in sorrow because of them? Have I asked Mary to obtain for me the grace of a contrite heart?

CLOSING PRAYER

From a prayer of St. Alphonsus: My afflicted Mother, I will not leave you alone to weep. No, I will accompany you with my tears. This grace I now ask of you: Obtain for me that I may always bear in mind and always have a tender devotion toward the passion of Jesus and your sorrows.

_________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Paul Thigpen and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.


Browse Our Archives