PIETA

There is a need for us to be careful with our words and action if we truly want to become a living testimony of what Jesus stands for. We can not just take this task for granted if we really want to be saved. Don't get me wrong. We have been saved by Jesus. The gate of heaven has been opened which was once closed when our first parents sinned but through the death and resurrection of Jesus is made accessible for us. We are still engaged in this daily battle for our souls because the enemy would stop at nothing just to deceive and lure us away from the gate of heaven. It should be our prime concern that we develop in ourselves the right speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. We must not neglect these things and should always be diligent in order for us to grow and mature in the faith. We have to keep our faith up and about just like a river that flows otherwise we'll stagnate. Everything in stagnant water eventually ends up dead and there is no sign of life at all. So if we really want to live then we will really take seriously what the 1st reading today is telling us. Amen. Hallelujah!

1 Timothy 4:12-16
Beloved: Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. 13 Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate. 15 Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone. 16 Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

We can always rely on God at all times and be assured that the wisest thing that we can do for ourselves is to follow His precepts which are all truth and equity. There is nothing more we ought to do but live by it. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M
Psalm 111:7-8. 9. 10
R: How great are the works of the Lord!
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; sure are all his precepts, 8 reliable forever and ever, wrought in truth and equity. (R) 9 He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. (R) 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; prudent are all who live by it. His praise endures forever.

It places us in a better position with God when we know that we have the Our Lady of Sorrows, none other than our very own Blessed Mother who will always be with us, offering her cries and tears as she constantly prays for us. She is perfect enough for God to be the mother of His only Son surely she will also be for us, more than perfect as our Mother. The most holy and sacred woman who ever lived here on earth is Mary. We are so blessed to have her as our own mother, for Jesus shared and extended to us this noble and holy privilege. Today we celebrate the Feast of the Our Lady of Sorrows and commemorate the courage and strength of Mary in carrying out the most noble task ever known to man which she has faithfully fulfilled thus it gives us the inspiration to not grow weary in facing further trials that come our way and not despair and lose hope. The passion and death of Jesus on the cross is the ultimate pain and suffering that a human being could endure. It follows that the ultimate sorrow a mother could experience is to see her very own son subjected to such an excruciatingly painful way to die. Mary stood at the foot of the cross as her heart was pierced with so much sorrow seeing her only Son, Jesus crucified. Only a heart full of faith, courage and conviction could withstand such kind of sorrow and pain. Mary maintained reverence in God in that time of great sorrow and remained obedient. Such is the heart of Mary, a mother, immaculate and strong. Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us. Amen. Hallelujah!

John 19:25-27 (or Luke 7:31-35 or Luke 2:33-35)
25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.