Grief that is experienced in isolation often makes the pain more acute. Sharing one's loss with others can sometimes reduce the alienation and overwhelming sadness that comes with the grieving process. Looked at from a psychological lens, the creation of kinship between our Blessed Mother and the beloved disciple in today's Gospel can be an effort to ensure that their grief is shared and can be transformed through the kinship. However, looking at it just on that level would lessen the impact of Mary becoming mother to us all. Commemorating Our Lady of Sorrows a day after the Exaltation of the Cross puts our human reaction to the crucifixion into perspective. No matter how much we try to convince ourselves of the glorification that comes with the cross, our human reaction to the horror and tragedy remains. I'm sure our Blessed Mother felt the same, and the reality of her sorrow then helps us identify with her when we face situations of grief and sorrow in our lives. The grief is real but so is the reality of her presence and constant intercession for us, giving us the help that we need to confront such challenges in our lives.

We pray for the grace to face the challenges and sorrows of life, knowing that our Blessed Mother is there by our side.