September is the month of the Sorrowful Mother. We thank Jeff Tiner for the artwork shown above. His conversion story was in our October, 2010 issue ( click here to read the article). Since then, through the power of prayer, Jeff has become a Lay Canossian Brother. He remains on death row as he awaits a new trial that has been granted. We also thank Deacon Allen Vandecoevering, Jeff’s spiritual director, for sending us Jeff’s artwork.
Featured article from September's Spirit of Medjugorje
Our Lady of Sorrows
Fr. Bill Kiel
During the month of September, three Marian days are
on the liturgical calendar: September 8 – the Nativity of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, September 12 – the Most Holy Name of
Mary and September 15 – Our Lady of Sorrows.
The Sorrows of Mary are in relation to being present to
Jesus, Her Son, during His suffering and death. She did not
lose faith. Mary was with Jesus until the end.
As we reflect on the suffering of Mary, the fourth sorrow is
meeting Jesus on His way to Calvary, the fifth is standing at
the foot of the cross, the sixth is Jesus being taken down from
the Cross, and the seventh is being present at His burial. It
is difficult for us to place ourselves in Mary’s footsteps. If
you have seen the movie The Passion of the Christ, you know
how difficult it was to watch certain moments when Jesus
was being scourged. Can you imagine yourself being there
at the moment it took place? In the message reported on
February 25, 1998, these words were given: I call you to a
renunciation in this time of grace. Little children, meditate on and
live through your little sacrifices, the passion and death of Jesus for
each of you. Only if you come closer to Jesus will you comprehend
the immeasurable love He has for each of you.
Often we claim the love of Jesus for each of us is not felt.
Is it because we do not meditate on the great suffering He
endured for us? If we are not aware of His suffering, we do
not appreciate His love for us. As human beings, we are
usually willing to suffer for ones we love. That suffering
enables our loved ones to know how much we love them.
Is that not similar to Jesus’ suffering for us? Even though
it is not the Lenten season, it may be
enlightening for us to meditate on the
Stations of the Cross and the Passion
of Jesus. We may become aware of
His immeasurable love for us.
Mary was well aware of the wounds
of Jesus as She met Him on the way to
Calvary and saw Him on the Cross.
In a reported message of March 25,
1997 we are given these words: I invite
you to take the Cross in the hands and to
meditate on the wounds of Jesus. Ask of
Jesus to heal your wounds, which you, dear children, during your
life sustained because of your sins or the sins of your parents… By
Jesus’ passion and death on the cross, you will understand that
only through prayer you, too, can become true apostles of faith…
Our BlessedMother suffered much while being the
mother of Jesus, and it was out of love for Her Son and
fulfilling the will of our Father. We are benefiting from the
suffering of Jesus because He loves us, and we are benefiting
also from the love our BlessedMother has for us as She
encourages us to become closer to Her Son, Jesus.
On September 15, remember to thank our BlessedMother
for the sorrows She endured and thank Her Son, Jesus, for
His suffering and His love for us.
Editor’s note: Father Kiel’s updated schedule can be found on our website, www.spiritofmedjugorje.org.
20 Reviews. All 5 Stars!
I Have Come to Tell the World that God Exists
Review by WV Gal
Thank you June for this Masterpiece!
Thank you June, you have rekindled, in my heart, the fire for Our lady's messages so much after reading this book that I am working out the details to start a Prayer Group devoted to spreading/sharing and living Our Lady's messages! I started with this lovely book and I am now reading the rest of your books!! Thank you so much and God bless you!!!
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