A reflection on Luke 2:33-35
Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang
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.”
Luke 2:33-35
Mary’s Contemplation
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Simeon foretold that the Christ Child would be a sign that would be “spoken against” (antilegomenon). Looking into the face of her tiny son, Mary must have wondered, “Who are you?” The question of Jesus’ identity was put to his disciples, the scribes and Pharisees, the people he healed and taught, the high priests, Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the various foreigners whom he encountered. “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15, Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20). The first person who pondered this mystery was Mary, his mother.
“Ima” (pronounced “ee-ma”) is “Mom” in Hebrew/Aramaic.
Who are you, my beloved son,
That men should speak against you
And Ima’s heart be pierced through?
Traditional Chinese Translation
《哀傷的聖母與基督的奧秘》
你是誰，我心愛的兒子，
衆人必將毀謗你
而身為母親我自己的心也要被刀刺透？
Dear GMC, Thank you for giving us our Ima so poignantly in your reflection. Our Ima must ask us too who we are when we sin and remind us that we are children of God. Have a blessed day, GMC!
Dear Gloria, thank you for your reflection. To paraphrase Pope Benedict XVI, without Mary our faith would be reduced to an abstraction. She is always ready to point the way, the way of Jesus. Thank you, Gloria, for all you do to keep our faith real and vibrant.
Ad Jesum per Mariam!
-St. Louis de Montfort