Episode 1619: The Sixth Sword of Sorrow - Mary receives Jesus into her arms

O Mother of Sorrows, your heart was drowned in
grief as you embraced the lifeless corpse of your
Son. He who was your very life was now dead.
Your light in this life was extinguished. Yet you
accepted this sorrow with love knowing that it
was all part of the Father’s plan of salvation.
Through this bitter sword of sorrow obtain for us
the grace to accept with patience and love the
sorrows that befall us in this vale of tears, firmly
believing that God works all things to the good
for those who love Him.Show more

John 19:38
“For these things were done that the Scripture might be fulfilled, 'A bone of him shall not be broken.”

The traditional Catholic perspective on John 19:38 and the sixth sword of sorrow that the Blessed Mother suffered as Christ's body was laid in her arms from the cross is that they are both manifestations of the deep love and compassion that Mary had for her son.

The verse from John's Gospel is seen as a fulfillment of a prophecy from the Old Testament book of Exodus, which says that the Messiah would be a sinless sacrifice who would not have a bone broken. This prophecy is seen as a sign of God's love for humanity, and Mary's willingness to allow her son to suffer and die for our sins is seen as a manifestation of her own deep love for God and for all people.

The sixth sword of sorrow is a traditional Catholic devotion that reflects on the seven most painful moments that Mary experienced during her son's Passion and death. The sixth sword is often depicted as Mary receiving her son's body from the cross and holding him in her arms for the last time. This moment is seen as a particularly painful one for Mary, as it represents the finality of her son's death and the loss that she would experience.

Both John 19:38 and the sixth sword of sorrow are powerful reminders of the love and sacrifice that Mary showed for her son and for all of humanity. They are also a source of great hope and comfort for Catholics, as they remind us of God's love for us and of the ultimate victory of life over death.

Here is a more detailed explanation of the sixth sword of sorrow from the Catholic perspective:

The sword of sorrow pierces Mary's heart as she sees her son, the very embodiment of life, laid lifeless in her arms.
The sword of sorrow that pierces Mary's heart as she sees her son, the very embodiment of life, laid lifeless in her arms is a powerful image of the depth of her maternal love and the immense suffering that she experienced.

For Mary, Jesus was more than just her son; he was also her savior and the hope of the world. To see him dead and broken was a devastating blow. It was as if the very source of life had been taken away from her.

The pain that Mary felt in that moment was unimaginable. It was the pain of a mother who had lost her child, but it was also the pain of a woman who had seen the world's sin and violence laid bare.

In her sorrow, Mary must have felt as if she had failed her son. She had promised to protect him, but she had been unable to save him from death. But even in her grief, Mary never wavered in her faith. She knew that Jesus' death was necessary for the salvation of humanity, and she accepted his sacrifice with love and courage.

The image of Mary holding her son's lifeless body in her arms is a reminder of the cost of our salvation. It is also a reminder of the power of love and the triumph of hope over despair.

Here is a passage from the Catholic prayer book, the Liturgy of the Hours, that reflects on the sixth sword of sorrow:

"O Mother of Sorrows, who stood by the cross of your Son, and received his lifeless body into your arms, we join with you in your grief. Help us to understand the meaning of his sacrifice, and to share in his victory over death."

This prayer invites us to enter into Mary's sorrow and to experience the depth of her love for her son. It also reminds us that Jesus' sacrifice was not in vain, and that we can share in his victory over death through faith and love.

Mary knows that her son's death is necessary for the salvation of humanity, but she cannot help but feel the pain of his loss.
Mary knew that her son's death was necessary for the salvation of humanity. She had been told this by the angel Gabriel when she was pregnant with Jesus. But even though she knew this, she could not help but feel the pain of his loss.

Mary was a human being, and she loved her son deeply. Seeing him suffer and die was incredibly painful for her. She must have felt like her heart was being ripped out.

But even in her sorrow, Mary never wavered in her faith. She knew that Jesus' death was a sacrifice that he was willing to make for our sake. She also knew that he would rise again from the dead.

Mary's ability to accept her son's death and to remain faithful to God is a powerful example of her love and compassion. It is also a reminder that even in the midst of great sorrow, we can still have hope.

Here is a passage from the Catholic Catechism that reflects on Mary's sorrow:

"Mary, standing by the cross of her Son, united herself with his sacrifice in a way that was unique among all human beings. She suffered with him, offered herself with him, and cooperated in the saving work he accomplished."

This passage highlights the fact that Mary's suffering was not passive. She actively participated in Jesus' sacrifice by offering herself with him. This is a powerful example of the depth of Mary's love for her son and for all of humanity.

Mary's sorrow is a reminder of the cost of our salvation. It is also a reminder that even in the midst of great suffering, we can still have hope. Jesus' sacrifice was not in vain, and he has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age.
She sees the suffering that her son has endured, and she feels the weight of the world's sins on her shoulders.
When Mary sees the suffering that her son has endured, she sees the suffering of all humanity. She sees the pain and injustice that we have caused, and she feels the weight of our sins on her shoulders.

Mary knows that Jesus' suffering is not just his own. It is also the suffering of all those who have been marginalized and oppressed. It is the suffering of those who have been victims of war, poverty, and violence.

Mary's heart breaks when she sees the suffering of her son and of the world. She feels the weight of our sins on her shoulders, and she wants to do something to stop the pain.

But Mary knows that she cannot save us on her own. She needs our help. She needs us to work together to build a world that is more just and compassionate.

Mary's sorrow is a reminder of the cost of sin. It is also a reminder that we are all connected, and that we are all responsible for each other.

Here is a passage from the Catholic prayer book, the Way of the Cross, that reflects on the sixth sword of sorrow:

"O Mother of Sorrows, who stood by the cross of your Son, and bore the weight of the world's sins on your shoulders, we join with you in your grief. Help us to see the suffering of others with your eyes, and to work for a world where all people can live in peace and justice."

This prayer invites us to share in Mary's sorrow and to see the world through her eyes. It also reminds us that we all have a role to play in building a more just and compassionate world.

Mary's sorrow is a powerful force for good. It motivates us to work for change and to make the world a better place.
But even in her sorrow, Mary remains faithful to God and to her son.
Even in her sorrow, Mary remains faithful to God and to her son. This is a testament to her great love and compassion. It is also a reminder that even in the midst of great suffering, we can still have hope.

Mary knows that God is with her in her sorrow. She has faith that he will not abandon her. She also knows that Jesus has conquered death, and that he will one day return.

Mary's faithfulness is an inspiration to us all. It reminds us that we can always have hope, even in the darkest of times.

Here is a passage from the Catholic prayer book, the Liturgy of the Hours, that reflects on Mary's faithfulness:

"O Mother of Sorrows, who remained faithful to God and to your Son even in the midst of your great sorrow, help us to remain faithful to God and to each other, even when we are facing challenges and difficulties."

This prayer reminds us that we can always find strength and courage in Mary's example. She shows us that it is possible to remain faithful to God and to each other, even in the midst of great suffering.

Mary's faithfulness is a powerful witness to the power of love and the triumph of hope over despair. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we can still have faith in God's love and mercy.
She knows that Jesus has conquered death, and she has hope for the future.
Mary knows that Jesus has conquered death, and this gives her hope for the future. She knows that he will rise again, and that he will bring new life to all of humanity.

Mary's hope is not blind optimism. She knows that the world is still a broken place, and that there is still much suffering. But she also knows that Jesus has defeated death, and that he is working to bring about a new heaven and a new earth.

Mary's hope is a source of strength and comfort for all of us. It reminds us that even in the midst of darkness, there is always hope. It also motivates us to work for a better future, knowing that Jesus is with us and that he will ultimately triumph over evil.

Here is a passage from the Catholic prayer book, the Way of the Cross, that reflects on Mary's hope:

"O Mother of Sorrows, who stood by the cross of your Son, and knew that he would rise again, give us hope for the future. Help us to see the signs of your Son's victory even in the midst of our suffering."

This prayer invites us to share in Mary's hope and to see the world through her eyes. It also reminds us that Jesus is working to bring about a new heaven and a new earth, and that we can play a role in this process.

Mary's hope is a powerful force for good. It motivates us to work for peace, justice, and love in the world. It also gives us strength to endure suffering and to persevere in the face of challenges.
The sixth sword of sorrow is a reminder of the deep love and compassion that Mary had for her son, and of the great sacrifice that she made for us. It is also a source of hope and comfort for Catholics, as it reminds us that Jesus has conquered death and that we will one day be reunited with him in heaven.