Daily Devotion to the Theotokos

 Twenty-eighth Day of the Month

"When she beheld Thine unjust crucifixion, O Christ, the Pure Virgin cried in grief: O my most sweet Child, how is it that Thou Who gavest the law now dieth lawlessly? How is it that Thou Who didst suspend the earth upon the waters art now Thyself suspended on the tree? O Most Merciful Benefactor, do not leave me, Thy mother and handmaiden, alone." (Cross Theotokion of Vespers for Wednesday, Tone 1)

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Who could understand the grief and sorrow of a mother, seeing her Son die the most cruel and terrible death for someone else's offence?

O Most Pure Theotokos, a sword truly pierced your soul when you stood by the cross and beheld your innocent Son brutally crucified. You know that He died for my sins and yet, instead of being bitter toward me, you cover me with your love and prayers. You are truly the mother of the compassionate Saviour. Having learned and perfectly understood His Gospel of co-suffering love, you have become a friend and intercessor for all mankind.

When I think of my daily sins, O Pure One, and how I daily offend our Lord Jesus Christ, I understand that not only do I wound His side, but I also pierce your heart. When you see a sinful person perishing, what bitter spiritual tears you must shed. When you see the ruin of a soul, for which your Son suffered and died, your grief is beyond description. But since you are filled with the co-suffering love of the Saviour, you also seek the salvation of each soul. I know that you pray constantly for each one of us, sinful human beings.

I am amazed, O Virgin Mother, that you have such love and compassion for someone like me. I daily sin against your Son. With my sinful deeds and thoughts, I daily lash His innocent back with the whip and continually drive the crown of thorns into His head.

Yet, though I continually sin and wound Him, He constantly showers me with His love and mercy. And you, O Most Pure Mother, never judge or condemn me, but constantly pray for my repentance and salvation. Who can comprehend such pure and godly love? The spirit of the Savior's Gospel lives and breathes in you. Therefore, I pray to you:

I beseech you, O Ever-Virgin Mother: teach me such co-suffering love, inspire such compassion and forgiveness in me, that I may also reflect the Savior's Gospel and love in my life. Teach me perfect repentance, and guide and help me to change my life so that I will no longer help crucify your Son with my deeds and thoughts. Help me to become a fit temple for the Holy Spirit, and to acquire the grace of God, so that our Saviour Jesus Christ may come and dwell in me. Fill my heart with understanding so that my life may give praise and glory to the Most Holy Trinity, to Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.