Mary could grant no relief to her Son, Mary: Day 246

Mary could grant no relief to her Son

Mothers are anxious to provide for the relief of their children when they suffer. So imagine Mary’s grief, St. Alphonsus says, when she was unable to relieve her Son’s suffering on the Cross.

Mothers ordinarily shrink from the presence of their dying children.

But when a mother is obliged to witness such a scene, she procures all possible relief for her child. She arranges his bed, so that he may be more at ease; she administers refreshments to him. In this way, the poor mother soothes her own grief.

Most afflicted of all mothers! Mary, you must witness the agony of your dying Jesus, yet you can’t grant him relief. Mary hears her Son exclaim, “I thirst!” But she can’t even give him a drop of water to refresh him in that great thirst. She can only say, as St. Vincent Ferrer remarks, “My Son, I have only the water of tears.” She sees how on that bed of torture her Son, suspended by three nails, can find no repose. She would clasp him in her arms to give him relief, or at least to let him die there if she could. But she can’t. “In vain,” says St. Bernard, “did she extend her arms; they sank back empty on her breast.”

She beholds that poor Son, who in his sea of grief seeks consolation, but in vain. For who among men will console him, since all were enemies? Even on the Cross he is taunted and blasphemed on all sides: “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads” (Mt 27:39). Some say to his face, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the Cross” (v. 40). Others, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down now from the Cross” (v. 42). Our Blessed Lady herself said to St. Bridget, “I heard some say that my Son was a thief; others, that he was an impostor; others, that no one deserved death more than he did. And every word was a new sword of grief to my heart.”

—St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Is there anyone I know who is suffering, whom I seem unable to help? Have I asked Mary to go to the aid of that person?

CLOSING PRAYER

Blessed Mother, hurry to all those who suffer alone, not because they have no one who desires to relieve their pain, but because their pain seems beyond relief. Be close to them and show yourself to them, for your presence is a healing balm.

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