Reading 1
1 Tm 3:1-13
Beloved, this saying is trustworthy:
whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.
Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable,
married only once, temperate, self-controlled,
decent, hospitable, able to teach,
not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle,
not contentious, not a lover of money.
He must manage his own household well,
keeping his children under control with perfect dignity;
for if a man does not know how to manage his own household,
how can he take care of the Church of God?
He should not be a recent convert,
so that he may not become conceited
and thus incur the Devil’s punishment.
He must also have a good reputation among outsiders,
so that he may not fall into disgrace, the Devil’s trap.
Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful,
not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain,
holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
Moreover, they should be tested first;
then, if there is nothing against them,
let them serve as deacons.
Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers,
but temperate and faithful in everything.
Deacons may be married only once
and must manage their children and their households well.
Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing
and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Gospel
Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
or
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.”
Meditation: John 19:25-27
Our Lady of Sorrows
If you have ever visited St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, you’ve probably spent a few moments admiring Michelangelo’s Pietà . And even if you’ve only seen a picture of this well-known sculpture, you know how poignantly it portrays Our Lady of Sorrows. A powerful meditation in marble, it shows Mary tenderly holding Jesus’ body, looking down at her son with an expression that suggests both anguish and acceptance.
Who can imagine what Mary felt as Jesus was placed in her arms? Any loving mother’s heart is crushed when her child’s life is cut short. But Mary watched Jesus die a brutal death—naked, taunted, scourged, pierced by nails.
This was the son she had loved, fed, taught, and then surrendered so that he could carry out his special mission. And after three years of healing, teaching, and announcing the kingdom of God, it had come to this: He died rejected, seemingly abandoned, even by his own Father. Jesus’ cry—”Why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)—must have cut Mary to the heart.
Even if Mary had an inkling that this wasn’t the end of the story, it didn’t shield her from pain and confusion. “Nothing will be impossible for God,” the angel had told her (Luke 1:37). But not knowing exactly how God would intervene, Mary had to walk by faith, trusting against all the outward evidence.
There are many times in our lives when we have to walk by faith as well. Especially then, we can turn to Mary as our guide and companion. She teaches us that the way to persevere is to keep our eyes on Jesus and not on ourselves. She encourages us to contemplate the mystery of Jesus’ death—not shrinking from the pain but joining our suffering to his sacrifice of love for the salvation of the world.
If you have a picture of Mary at the cross, try using it to help you pray sometime this week. Sit quietly, and let yourself get absorbed in the scene. Speak to Mary heart-to-heart, asking her to intercede for you or for someone you know who is suffering right now. Mary, the tender mother who weeps with those who weep, will point you to Jesus and help you walk the path laid out for you.
“Mary, you stood at the cross and were not overcome by sorrow and darkness. Help me to stand with you in faith, trust, and surrender.”
1 Timothy 3:1-13; Psalm 101:1-3,5-6
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