WwtW: Our Lady of Sorrows special edition

For Wednesdays with the Word this week, we looked at some of the readings for Our Lady of Sorrows, the patroness of the Congregation of Holy Cross, whose feast day can be celebrated by Holy Cross apostolates this weekend on September 15th in place of the usual Sunday readings.

First Reading:           Heb 5:7-9

Context.           The origins of this “letter” are shrouded in mystery: we don’t know who wrote it, who is was intended for, or whether it was even a letter (it may well have been a homily.  Its central theme is the priesthood of Christ, crucified and exalted: Christ did what Jewish cult could not do – provide permanent cleansing from sin, through the New Altar of the Cross.  We are called to follow our “forerunner” on his pilgrimage, bringing us home to heavenly rest.  Our extract this week is from the section of the letter which explores Christ’s priesthood.

Interpretation. This reading is part of the author’s proof of Christ’s priesthood.  It shows that Jesus met one of the criteria for priesthood: he was a human, with human weakness.  But, he was not merely human: the reading presents the great reversal, moving from the days of flesh when he cried to his savior (Gethsemane?  Cross?) to his current perfect state when he is now the cause of our salvation.  The language is deliberate, Jesus offers prayers like a priest offers sacrifice.  He was liberated because of his reverence (or piety) which is expressed in the fervor of his supplication.  Through this God hears (the word is the same as for human obedience) and delivers him not from death, but to transcend death through resurrection and exaltation.  Equating learning and suffering was a common Greek saying (it rhymes in Greek): true learning is always experiential, and Jesus lived his whole life obedient to being fully human.

Gospel:           John 19:25-27

Context.           This reading comes from John’s account of the crucifixion.  The whole Gospel has been preparing for this moment of Jesus being “lifted up” for the glory of God, a moment which would gather the many who had been dispersed, draw them into the love between the Father and Son, and give them the Spirit as their companion.  Of the five vignettes John presents at the cross, this is the central one.  The story doesn’t linger here, however, but presses forward towards the resurrection.

Interpretation. Mary was the first in the gospel to commit herself to Jesus’ word (at Cana, when, as here, Jesus addresses her as “woman”).  Both mother and disciple obey Jesus’ final command.  They receive each other not just “from that time” but “because of that hour,” the hour of Jesus’ being lifted up.  The crucifixion bears fruit even before Jesus’ death: the world which did not receive the Word now witnesses two people receive each other out of love for Christ.  A new family is born, a family we too will be invited into, with Mary as our mother too.

  

Questions

1.      What do you think of when you hear the words “reverence” or “piety”?  The Greek word could also be translated “god-fearing-ness.”  How do loud cries compare with what we think of?

2.      How can we help people learn from their trials and not despair?  We also need to avoid making God out to be a torturer.

3.      What place does Mary and her motherhood have in your spirituality?  How about the Church as mother?

4.      Is the Church a place where we feel “received”?  Welcome?

5.      How does the cross create family?