HERE IS AN ICON of Jesus' Mother in her Good Friday anguish. She is depicted in her sorrow as her Son is taken down from the cross and placed in the stone tomb. It's said that there is no sorrow like that of a mother sorrowing over the death of her child. The Medieval hymn asks:
Who, that sorrow
contemplating,
On that passion
meditating,
Wound not share
the Virgin's grief?
But this icon scene of the sorrowing Mother is also seen in newspapers and on TV and computer screens each day. The misery so deep is all over the world as mothers watch helplessly while their children wither and die.
Perhaps Mary grieves too that her Son remains so unknown, unloved; that sin is so un-acknowledged, un-repented of and evil so justified.
Perhaps Mary grieves too that her Son remains so unknown, unloved; that sin is so un-acknowledged, un-repented of and evil so justified.
Oh Jesus, give us new hearts, hearts that are eager even to know about and share the sorrows of others. Give us hearts that turn, and turn again, and yet again - to interface with others and to know that you are there.