Sorrows of Mary Her Seven Sorrows
The Seven Dolors of Mary
Meditations are meditations done by a member.
1. The Prophecy of Simeon.
2. The Flight into Egypt.
3. The three day Loss of Jesus in the Temple
4. The Meeting of with her Son on the way to Calvary.
5.Mary standing at the foot of the cross
6.The taking down of Christ's body from the Cross
7. The Burial of Her Divine Son.
Also see the SEVEN PROMISES of heaven for those who practice this devotion
1. The Prophecy of Simeon
(Luke 2:33-35)
'The child's 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."
Meditation:
It is now Febuary, Our Lord is 40 days old and the holy family must leave Bethlehem and journey to jerusalem to offer according to Law, the only Son of the Eternal Father. I would imagine as they set out on their journey legions of Blessed spirits joined them. Imagine the intensity of the cold in which they had to travel with only an ass to ride upon. Which probally ment that their journey took longer and they were not covered from the elements. So frequent stops must of been made to nurse and warm our divine infant. This may of been the very first suffering which they shared together, the hardship of traveling, the elemements and all that must of been indured. And this discomfort that they experienced was silently offered through their hearts to the Father. "Immolation begins!" This is there first appearance in the church since the birth of the Divine Word, Mary must of been overjoyed with gladness. As they were going to present Him to His Father according to the Law. As they get closer to their journeys end Anna and Simeon in great expectation as the Father has revealed to them that Jesus is the long awaited Lords' Christ. The sacrificial Lamb of God. Their joy and love must of filled their hearts so that its a miracle to contain it. Once arrived, St. Joseph buys two white doves as an offering, this signifys purity and simplicity. Then the big day. How joyful all of them must of been. But wait, Simeon takes our Divine Infant and first states; "Now let your servant depart in peace Lord, for my eyes have beheld your salvation." How Simeon must of rejoyced over this, but all joy seems to end on his second statement. As he holds the Divine Infant he blesses Mary and Child saying:" see, this Child is appointed for the falling and rising up of many in Israel and for a sign that will be opposed. And a sword shall pass through your own heart,[ soul ] so that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed." Imagine all the joy suddenly ending and sorrow coming over this young mother as she fully understands this statement. From now on Calvary will be with her. And She will not escape it. Thirty-three years she will endure the thought of it and this is her Martyom, beginning on this day. "True love" entails suffering, it gives itself freely to God, for service. It means we accept all that our good God may send us and we accept suffering as well, for it is by suffering that we are sanctified and by Crosses and trials that we gain strength.[freed from our selfish self inorder to find satisfaction in God and God alone.We not only talk the talk,but we actually walk the walk.]
Prayers:
"Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us."
Hail Mary...
2. The Flight of The Holy Family
Into Egypt.
(Matthew 3: 13-15)
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."
(Matthew 3:16-18) 'Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:
"A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more."
Meditation:
Shortly after the Presentation an Angel warns Joseph to take the Mother and Child and flee to Egypt.For Herod wished to kill the Holy Infant.So Herod thought by killing all the innocents, he would kill the Holy Child. For a Messias was fortold and Herod was afraid. As the Angel warns Joseph,I assume Our Mother and Divine Infant also know probally before Joseph that they were leaving, fleeing for their lives. Yet, I can see Our Mother humbly being quiet inorder that Joseph make the announement. The two must of been scared, but I can see the Father saying "fear not" for many Angels must of been with them. I can see our young Mother worried and concerned about St. Liz and little John. Does she go to them or does she send an angel messenger, probally the latter. Again they endure the elements, through the desert in the cold air without shelter and little nourishment. Our dear Infant crying, cold, wet and each tear offered and shed for man.Calvary has begun long before the Passion. I can see this now.
Here they are fleeing for their lives and going into a land full of idols. I can see our Divine Infant praying for these people who are under the dominion of the demons. Exercising His power upon entering its gates, and Our Mother joining him in prayer.
Once finding a home, once again they ar poor for the necessities of life.
Many conversions must of happened through their time there."What do I see": True love and suffering go together, hand and hand. As we are called to accept all that Our good Father wishes to give us. For true love doesn't question,it accepts all, for love, in love and because of love. It does all for neighbor not self,no matter the hardship. Openness, faith, fortitude, and trust with ultimate love is what I see. With a continuation of Calvary. We can also see the differance between three souls that are empty of all, inorder to be totally filled with all. We can also see how Our Lady just went with the flow.No questions, she just went where ever it was ment for her to go and in going she received many blessings.
This is a good lesson, How many times do we sit back, wait, discern something. I think there are times that we must just accept things and go with it, allowing God to show us the way.If God wishes us to really do something, He may close one door only to open a whole new one.
Through all the deserts and the storms that our Holy parents endured. Their thought were always on "one thing",the Infant Christ.Here is another lesson for us.We all have our own Spiritual Deserts and interior storms,the thing is, never forget to keep your eyes on the Lord.For it got Mary and Joseph through the hardship, it will get us through it to. And as they had a blind faith and trust, so too do we need it in these times.
Mother Angelica once said that the Holy Innocents had in fact, given their lives for God ~ like a shield ~ so that the Christ Child might live.
Prayers: "Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary pray for us,
and all your children yet unborn." Hail Mary...
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