Friday September 15, 2017
Introduction
People who want to carry out their mission in life have often a high price to pay. Jesus continued his mission of love of doing the Father's will to save us and was nailed to the cross for it. Mary had been told by Simeon that she would suffer for and with her Son. When a child suffers, also the mother suffers. Yet she too was faithful to her mission of giving Jesus to the world. The closer one is to the Lord, the closer one often is to his cross.
This feast originated in Germany and was extended to the universal Church by Pope Benedict XIII in 1721. It focuses on the way Mary shared in the sufferings of her Son, Jesus. Commenting on today’s
two Gospel: texts, Pope John Paul II has said: “Simeon’s words seem like a second annunciation to Mary, for they tell her of the actual historical situation in which the Son is to accomplish his mission, namely in misunderstanding and sorrow.... At the foot of the cross Mary shares through faith in the shocking mystery of this self-emptying [of Jesus Christ]. This is perhaps the deepest ‘kenosis’ of faith in human history” ( Mother of the Redeemer, nn. 16, 18).
Opening Prayer
Lord God,
we know that sorrow and pain
are inescapable in this life
for those who follow your crucified Son.
Give us enough trust in you
to remain faithful to you
and to believe and hope in your love
even in the depth of suffering.
Give us the courage
to face the hardships of life
and to bear one another's crosses
in union with Mary, our sorrowing Mother,
inn the service of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Reading: Heb 5:7–9
In the days when Christ was in the flesh, he offered prayers
and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was
able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his
reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what
he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the
source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 31:2 and 3b, 3cd–4, 5–6, 15–16, 20
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me,
make haste to deliver me!
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety.
You are my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
You will free me from the snare they set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
But my trust is in you, O LORD,
I say, “You are my God.”
In your hands is my destiny; rescue me
from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
How great is your goodness, O LORD,
which you have in store for those who fear you,
And which, toward those who take refuge in you,
you show in the sight of the children of men.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
Gospel: Lk 2:33–35
Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what was said about
him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in
Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself
a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts
may be revealed.”
Prayer over the Gifts
God of our happiness,
with our human wisdom
we seek happiness without pain,
glory without sacrifice.
But in your divine wisdom,
or foolishness as Paul calls it,
give us here your Son Jesus Christ
to teach us again the value of the cross.
With Mary we want to serve him
who is our Lord who died an rose again,
and our Savior for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Our living and loving God,
in this holy meal we have celebrated
the death and resurrection of Jesus, your Son
and proclaimed suffering and death
as a painful, but necessary way
to lasting glory an happiness.
Let this eucharist be our strength
to carry the burdens of life
and to learn from Mary
to stand by the side of all
in whom suffers your Son and hers,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
