September 15, 2025, Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Luke 19:25-27

In today’s reading, Jesus, in the midst of his final minutes on the cross, in the most extreme pain, in a moment of utmost crisis, looks to his final arrangements for his mother Mary, indicating that his disciple (John, we believe) take her into his family. In those days a widow without a son would be destitute; rather than send her back to relatives in Nazareth, Jesus kept her with his close disciple John, in the midst of his spiritual family. 

While other disciples were hiding in fear for their lives, John did not give in to fear. He trusted in the power of God, and he stood at the foot of the cross with the women.  He did not fight or argue with the soldiers; he simply was there, bearing witness. And he received the Mother of God into his home.

We may find our current times to be frightening and oppressive. Think about Jesus’ time, when the Romans were occupying Israel. The Jewish people were oppressed by the Roman authorities. In turn, the religious authorities felt threatened by Jesus and they not only oppressed him, they put him to death. The disciples were afraid and hid, but John was there, bearing witness. He had confidence in God, and he was right to trust in God, as he later received the Book of Revelations and wrote the Letters of John and the Gospel of John (or empowered his disciples to do so). He did not physically fight, and he did not argue. Rather, he was present and he bore witness.

Like John, we can bear witness in times of oppression. In the midst of fearful times, we can show up as witnesses to truth. And like John, we may attract blessings in this way.

Think of the brave young woman who filmed George Floyd’s final moments. There is such power in pushing through fear to bear witness.  Even small ways to bear witness are the right thing to do; they clarify and strengthen our conscience.  Be well. Amen.