“The Pierced Soul Of Mary!”

“The Pierced Soul Of Mary!”(Lk. 2:22-40).
One day a gloomy person came to a renowned psychiatrist and complained that he was always sad and didn’t know what to do to be happy. In their discussion the psychiatrist told the man with all joy that he had a solution that would cheer him up. He told the man that the famous comedian and humourist Charlie Chaplain was to perform in the city hall that evening. He had two tickets for the show. He offered one to the patient who took it reluctantly without even a smile.
The psychiatrist wondered why the man was not happy for having the opportunity to watch the famous Charlie Chaplain. The patient then told him, “I am Charlie Chaplain.”
Those who bring joy and happiness to others are themselves starved of such joy and happiness. I remember when I passed the entrance to enter the seminary. One evening my ailing mother called me and tried to dissuade me from my call. Some bad ill-informed advisers who could not mind their own business had told her that the pastoral ministry was a life of celibacy. I explained to my mum that it wasn’t so. She reluctantly accepted my explanation. Unfortunately she died three months to my graduation. It would appear that even though she accepted my explanation, she had some pain and sorrow in her. May she and all the departed rest in peace!
There are many African priests who by joining the priesthood became the source of pain and sorrow to their families. And the challenges they face in ministry are a source of pain and sorrow to themselves.
Comedians, humourist and entertainers are a source of joy and happiness to many. Ministers of the gospel are a source of joy and happiness to the children of God. But thes3 persons who are sources of joy and happiness are not necessarily joyful and happy people.
One of the popular Christmas carol is “Joy to the world; the Lord has come! Let earth receive her king…” But this joy to the world was pain and sorrow for Mary, and humiliation, suffering and death to her son, Jesus the Christ.
When on the eighth day Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the temple for presentation, Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed him. Simeon rejoiced and wished he could now die in peace because he had seen with his own eyes the salvation which the LORD had promised.
Simeon prophesied that Jesus was “…a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory of” God’s people.
What Simeon said to Mary after he had blessed them is our focus. He told Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
While it is joy to the world that a king has been born, let us remember the pain and anguish of a mother whose son was wrongfully accused and executed in his thirties!
There are many out there like Mary whose souls have been pierced with sorrow just so that some people may rejoice and be happy.
There are many out there like Jesus, who like candles, burn themselves to extinction just so that others may enjoy light and find joy and happiness. While they make others joyful and happy, they are in pains. They too need us to make them happy! May we constantly remind ourselves that the king whom we celebrate with joy to the world that we sing during Christmastide became king through the humiliation of a death on the cross! Let us also sacrifice to bring joy to others.
Sunday prayer: For the mothers, who like Mary bring joy to the world through their own pain and sorrow, we thank you LORD. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.