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Daily Devotion to the Theotokos Nineteenth Day of the Month | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“And a sword
shall pierce your own soul also, and the hearts of many will
be revealed”
(Luke
2:35). * * * It is a joy to bring one’s newborn baby into God’s house, to present it to the Lord. How much greater was Mary’s joy, hearing the prophets praising her Child and calling Him great. Yet her joy was tinged with fear when the prophet warned her, “your own soul will be pierced by a sword.” She did not yet know the sorrow and agony she would feel, beholding her Son suffering on the cross, this grief that was to pierce her very soul like a sword. Mary’s grief and sorrow were such as only a Mother could feel, seeing her Son, though innocent, dying as a criminal because of His goodness, perfection and love. The pain of this “sword wound” would be only made greater by her knowledge that her Son was suffering and dying for the sinfulness of mankind, and for her redemption as well as that of all humanity. Orthodox Christians: should not each of us feel the pain of a sword wounding our hearts when we gaze upon the Cross? When we look upon an icon of Christ on the Cross or when we trace the sign of the Cross upon ourselves, do we ever pause to think what it means? Do we take time to reflect that Christ suffered and died for us, knowing the sins of each one of us; seeing each of us in bondage? How often do we betray our Saviour and His suffering love on the Cross? How often do we turn our backs on Him and fall again into sin? Mary’s heart and soul were wounded with grief because she saw her beloved Son suffer torture and a disgraceful death innocently. Our souls should constantly be pierced with remorse for our sins and fallings, knowing that He suffered and died for each one of our sins, and each one of our fallings. Turn to the Theotokos with tears, O believer and cry out: “O most blessed and Pure Virgin, I humbly ask your forgiveness, for I am the one who crucified your Son! With my sins, I lashed His back and beat Him. With my passions, I have mocked and scourged Him. I am the one who drove nails into His hands by constantly yielding to the wiles of Satan and falling into pride and sin. O Most Pure Mother, it is I who drew the sword and pierced your soul with it, for your Son died for my sake. As the apostle John was made worthy to call you “mother”, and was made your “child” by the word of Christ on the Cross, so also hear my repentance and look upon me as your spiritual child. Accept my heartfelt prayer, and intercede for me before the throne of your Son and our God, that He may make me worthy to be numbered with you and all those who have found favor in His sight. Pray for me, O Virgin Mother, that I may find salvation through sincere repentance, and ever live for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who redeemed me through His life, reconciled me through His death, and gave me everlasting life through His resurrection. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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