MARY, OUR MOTHER

Meditation 47

THE HOLY INNOCENTS

For your part adore God's judgments and orders whenever, and sometimes when you least expect it, suffering comes to try God's children.

Mary full of joy had gone to the Temple absorbed in the delightful contemplation of Her Son. That joy was increased when Simeon revealed Jesus as the Light and Salvation of mankind. But suddenly when inebriated by this divine joy, the Sword of Sorrow was trust into Her Heart. Poor Mother! Now She does not see in Jesus only Her lovely Son; She sees in Him a victim marked for the sacrifice, the Lamb of God who is going to be immolated for the salvation of the world. Approach Mary and whisper a word of consolation. Promise Her never to increase Her sorrows with your sins. Try to alleviate the wound made by Her sword of sorrow by atonement and amendment, by love.

This passage of the Gospel is the first fulfillment of Simeon's prophecy. Just a few days or perhaps even only a few hours have elapsed and Jesus begins publicly to appear as a sign of contradiction. Herod seeks to put Him to death. The sword of sorrow strikes the Heart of Mary and tortures Her soul. Let us devote our meditation to this important passage.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]