our lady of sorrows

I have a friend whose son has had a lifetime of heart problems. From the minute he was born, he has endured one invasive surgery after another. She, of course, has been with him every step of the way. One story she told though reveals to me the importance of celebrating Mary's role as one who has suffered. Linda had joined a women's Bible study group and had shared one session that she could identify with Mary,the mother of Jesus, at the foot of the cross. She had stood at the foot of her son's hospital bed and witnessed his pain and suffering, not knowing how much more he could take. As she spoke, she began to cry. What surprised her was that not one of the women made a gesture to comfort her. No one was able to reach out to her in words or body to connect with her. She said it was the loneliest experience. Hearing her story made me feel very badly. It made me sad for Linda, but it also made me feel sympathy for the women in the group who likely had never experienced anything like Linda has, and did not know what to do in this moment of Linda's agony. Enter, Mary. For Linda and for other women friends of mine, Mary is the one they can turn to when the sorrow is too much for others to share. Mary has been there. Linda prays the rosary. For a mother who has come close to losing her son many times, it is a life line as Mary has helped her stand at the foot of the cross. (Linda's son has just finished a masters degree in Biblical Studies in Denver and is teaching. He still spends time in the hospital, but he'll celebrate his 27th birthday in May.)