So why Our Lady Of Sorrows? Well let me begin by saying that it is rare for me to have an emotional reaction in Spiritual matters. My brain prefers to be in charge over my heart, and so things have to be logical and clear for me to understand and accept. Faith and reason as some might say. And of course, the Gospel is reasonable so with eyes of faith I can see and believe, no problem.
If you've ever been to a pentecostal type revival meeting or even a charismatic Catholic conference (Pentecostal want-to-be's by all appearances), it does seem like the goal is to get everyone emotional, at which point you have broken down the walls that prevent many from accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ. I myself have been to a couple such rallies, and no matter how hard I tried to get caught up in the turbulence of 'spirit slayings', I just could not get there. For me, it served the opposite purpose, I closed up even more. No way was I letting some 'wacko' preacher move my emotions. The Gospel was logical enough for me without all the emotions, so I thought.
Even as frigid as I am with my responses to the Gospel, you'd think a solid meditation on the Passion of Christ, just seeing the suffering he endured, would move me. Truth be told, even though I believe, my emotions for the most part remain unmoved.
Years ago, early in my reversion/conversion to the Catholic faith, I was introduced to Mary, the virgin Mother of the Saviour. Logic told me that if Holy Mother Church highly recommended her children to have deep devotion to the blessed Mother, I should at least try her out. I took up praying the Rosary and some remarkable things happened to me. I will tell you about a couple of them.
One evening, my wife and I were praying the Glorious mysteries and I dropped into what I might call a deep contemplation, and particularly on the Coronation Of Mary. A vision manifested itself in my mind and I could see Mary, fully robed and jeweled and crowned as glorious as a queen could be, standing next to her son Jesus, who was Christ the King, seated on his throne. Jesus was smiling with the most loving eyes, and Mary was directing me to her Son and calling to me, her words "welcome Albert." She was the most beautiful creature I could have ever imagined. I can still recall the scene to this day. Mary was welcoming me to her Son, wanting to share Him with me. I was moved to tears. Aha, an unsolicited emotional response to the Gospel.
Jump ahead several years, I was at Adoration, praying the stations of the cross and meditating on the different stations of Jesus agony, for the most part unmoved until I got to the thirteenth station where the image depicts Jesus being laid in the arms of his sorrowful mother. I paused at the thought of this saintly mother having undergone the agony of watching the passion of her innocent Son, the God Man, the one who created all things, even me, and I once again was moved to tears. Another unsolicited emotional response. Mary is the handmaid that leads me to Jesus. The Church tells us that this is what Mary does for us. I entered into her sorrow so that I could be in relationship with her Son, my Saviour. And so, in this time of Lent. I dedicate this Blog to Mary, to whom I owe so much of my spiritual growth, my coming into relationship with the one Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Growing up Protestant, I heard a lot about how the Catholics were "wrong" to "worship" Mary. Having become Catholic, I've come to understand what you said here: that Mary always points us to her Son. I've also appreciated praying the Rosary and deepening my devotion to Mary (love Scott Hahn's book about her). Thanks for sharing your special moments with her.
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