Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Lately, I have stood in solidarity with friends and family experiencing feelings from across the emotional spectrum. This week, we welcomed a new niece into the world. Our kids are excited to have a new cousin to play with at family gatherings. Not a day earlier, we received heartbreaking news of the sudden death of a dear friend’s father and that another pair of friends are experiencing pregnancy loss. So when I sat with today’s readings, I was instantly drawn to the psalm and could not help but picture Mary at the foot of the cross.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.-Ps 34:18-20,23
The Lord is indeed close to the brokenhearted. Who understands heartbreak more than the one who spends today's Gospel being hunted through Galilee and Jerusalem? Who better to walk with us in grief and pain than Mary? We are a mere two weeks from the triduum, the culmination of the passion of our Lord, Jesus the Christ. Perhaps today, we might reflect on our Lenten practices. How are we doing with our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving? How are they helping us to prepare for the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus? As we journey through these final days toward the cross, may we take refuge in Him. “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God,” (Mt 4:4b).
The Three O’clock Prayer
Lord Jesus,
We gather in spirit at the foot of the Cross
With your Mother and the disciple whom you loved.
We ask your pardon for our sins,
Which are the cause of your death.
We thank you for remembering us in that hour of salvation
And for giving us Mary as our Mother
Holy Virgin,
Take us under your protection
And open us to the action of the Holy Spirit
Saint John,
Obtain for us the grace of taking Mary
Into our lives as you did,
And of assisting her in her mission.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
Be glorified in all places
Through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
Peace,
Brandon Meyer