Shalom

15Sep Sat	Our Lady of Sorrows
	Heb. 5:7-9 Ps. 31:2-3, 3-4, 5-6 Jn. 19:25-27 or Lk. 2:33-35

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Just a week after we celebrate her nativity, we meditate upon the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary on this feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. The proximity of the two feasts in the Church's calendar may be due to an historical accident, but is nevertheless fruitful for our prayer. As with the birth of any child, the birth of Mary must have brought great joy to her parents, even though they would not have been able to meditate on Mary their daughter as we can meditate on Mary our Mother. In every human life there will be suffering of some kind, and the sorrows of Mary were part of her participation in the mystery of her Son Jesus. Joy and sorrow were interdependent in her life.

Meditation on the mystery of Mary, mother of God, brings us different moments of inspiration and consolation in accordance with the circumstances of our situation and our prayer. The image of Mary standing at the foot of the Cross of Christ is a reminder that, for the follower of Christ, sorrow and suffering can become the entrance into a world of new hope and joy.

Mary, standing at the foot of the Cross of Jesus, your Son, pray for us who have recourse to you.

DAILY OFFERING

Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH

INTENTION
That the adolescents and young people of the third millennium may discover a profound ideal to devote themselves to.
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H

INTENTION :	That the adolescents and young people of the third millennium may discover a profound ideal to devote themselves to.
"Lord Jesus, you have made these young people your friends; keep them for ever close to you! Amen." This closing prayer of John Paul II at the Mass in Korazim in the Holy Land last year indicates the deep concern he has for the youth of the third millennium. At the Mount of Beatitudes, the Holy Father looked down on the assembled youth and said, "How may generations before us have been deeply moved by the Sermon on the Mount! How many young people down the centuries have gathered around Jesus to learn the words of eternal life, as you are gathered here today! It is wonderful that you are here!" The ideal the Holy Father proposes to the youth of today is that they look at Jesus, who embodies the Beatitudes. They will see what it means to be poor in spirit, gentle and merciful, to mourn, to care for what is right, to be pure in heart, to make peace, to be persecuted. He challenges them to go out into the world and preach the message of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes which speak of truth and goodness, and grace and freedom: of all that is necessary to enter Christ's Kingdom. Now it is their turn to be courageous apostles of that kingdom.
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