Today's feast and the reading options that exist offer us a link with yesterday's recollection of the crucifixion of Jesus and how the Exultation of the Holy Cross is a reminder of the Father's love for us and the Son's willingness to suffer for all sinners to regain for them, for us, our freedom.
This feast, honoring Mary, places her with one of the realities of our faith experience. Mary is placed with Jesus in his suffering and death on the cross. What can we take to our prayer and hearts from this scene, pictured here?
Here is her son. In this mystery of the crucifixion and death, Jesus empties himself for sinners; here we see Jesus who became a slave for us in his becoming obedient to his death on a cross. And who is there with him? Mary, his mother. She continued to be more than his mother. She was clearly the symbol of caring mother for all of us, helping us to understand as best we can Jesus' gift to humankind.
Perhaps we can stand with Mary today, recalling the words of Simeon, "... you yourself a sword will pierce." Today, we are invited to be with Mary, to "proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again" (1 Cor 11: 26b).
Those who might like some prayerful assistance in reflecting the feast can read the Stabat Mater prayer.
