Choose Life

Yesterday would have been my day to blog, but I found my words lacking, so decided to blog at a better time. Which would be today. Especially since the two tests of the week are out of the way and I can think clearly again. And, yes, I felt good about both of them. I was cutting it close on the John test. I wouldn't say I was cramming, necessarily...but I definitely should have gone over my notes in more detail the past week instead studying all the little details the morning of...however, it's done, praise Him, and the weekend is basically beginning!

On this feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, I really wanted to share this reflection that I received with the Daily Gospel, courtesy of St. Therese of Liseuex:

One day when sinners are listening to the doctrine
Of Him who would like to welcome them in Heaven,
Mary, I find you with them on the hill.
Someone says to Jesus that you wish to see him.
Then, before the whole multitude, your Divine Son
Shows us the immensity of his love for us.
He says: ''Who is my brother and my sister and my Mother,
If not the one who does my will?" (Mt 12,24-50)

0 Immaculate Virgin, most tender of Mothers,
In listening to Jesus, you are not saddened.
But you rejoice that He makes us understand
How our souls become his family here below.
Yes, you rejoice that He gives us his life,
The infinite treasures of his divinity!...
How can we not love you, O my dear Mother,
On seeing so much love and so much humility?

You love us, Mary, as Jesus loves us,
And for us you accept being separated from Him.
To love is to give everything. It's to give oneself.
You wanted to prove this by remaining our support.
The Savior knew your immense tenderness.
He knew the secrets of your maternal heart.
Refuge of sinners, He leaves us to you
When He leaves the Cross to wait for us in Heaven...

Saint John's home becomes your only refuge.
Zebedee's son is to replace Jesus .....
That is the last detail the Gospel gives.
It tells me nothing more of the Queen of Heaven.
But, O my dear Mother, doesn't its profound silence
Reveal that The Eternal Word Himself
Wants to sing the secrets of your life
To charm your children, all the Elect of Heaven?

Soon I'll hear that sweet harmony.
Soon I'll go to beautiful Heaven to see you.
You who came to smile at me in the morning of my life,
Come smile at me again ... Mother.. .. It's evening now! ...
I no longer fear the splendor of your supreme glory.
With you I've suffered, and now I want
To sing on your lap, Mary, why I love you,
And to go on saying that I am your child!

How beautiful is that?! To be charmed by the secrets of Mary's life is definitely the most beautiful image for me. Yesterday, on the feast of the Triumph of the Cross, Father reminded us at Mass that suffering is an opportunity. It's just another one of life's instances that holds an invitation...to pass by it, or to use it for a greater good. And, in Hinds' Feet in High Places, Much-Afraid makes her journey to the High Places with the company of Sorrow and Suffering. In other words, sorrow isn't something to run from! Wait, but aren't we supposed to choose life and blessing, instead of curse and death (Dt 30:19-20)? Who said we HAVE to equate sorrow and suffering with curse and death?! It's often when we experience sorrow and suffering that we 1)Love the Lord, 2) heed His voice, and 3) hold fast to Him (v. 20). In other words, if we approach sorrow and suffering and make it a blessing, then it can order our priorities correctly. Mary's secret is this: that sorrow was her blessing. Her triumph was also in the Cross. May we today also recognize any sorrow or suffering as an opportunity of grace.