7th April 2019 - Mary's Way of the Cross

On this week's programme the SS102fm team, with the help of some volunteers, reflect on the Stations of the Cross, in particular through the eyes and heart and mind of Our Blessed Mother - Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother too. We also have our usual reflection on the Sunday Gospel.

You can listen to the podcast of this weeks full programme HERE.

Mary's Way of the Cross by Richard G. Furey C.Ss.R.

It is part of Catholic tradition to pray the Stations of the Cross, particularly during Lent. As part of our Lenten observances this year the SS102fm team decided to reflect on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus through Mary's Way of the Cross written by Richard G. Furey C.Ss.R.

Each station begins with an imagined reflection from Our Lady and ends with variations on the refrain "but I knew this had to be so I.... silently." 

Mary's fiat, her yes to God, was not offered just once to the Angel Gabriel when he invited her to become the Mother of God. Mary's yes to God had to be offered over and over and over again. She is the supreme model of faith for us, because she knows what it means to suffer, she knows the mother's pain of losing an only child, she knows poverty and struggle and pain and yet she trusted God completely. She invites us to do the same.

As Richard says "Mary stood by her Son throughout His passion, and in her faith, experienced the joy of His resurrection. This booklet allows the 20th century Christian to do the same in hope that he or she will, with Mary's assistance, deepen his or her faith and allow Jesus to rise once more in his or her life." 

You can listen to the interview excerpted from the main programme podcast HERE.

If you wish to read Mary's Way of the Cross, the text is available online HERE. 

Gospel - John 8:1-11

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak he appeared in the Temple again; and as all the people came to him, he sat down and began to teach them.

The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in full view of everybody, they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning. What have you to say?’ They asked him this as a test, looking for something to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. As they persisted with their question, he looked up and said, ‘If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Then he bent down and wrote on the ground again. When they heard this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir’ she replied. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus ‘go away, and do not sin any more.’

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 1; 5th week of Lent

Saints of the Week

April 8th - St. Julie Billiart
April 9th - St. Waldetrudis
April 10th - St. Michael de Sanctis
April 11th - St. Marguerite d'Youville
April 12th - St. Julius
April 13th - Pope Saint Martin I

Notices

'Journey towards Transformation' - will be held in St. Mary of the Rosary Church, Nenagh on April 7th, 8th and 9th from 7.30pm. Each night will have input, reflection, meditation and live music and is facilitated by Martina Lehane Sheehan and her husband, Pat. All are welcome to this unique three night journey of meditation, scripture and healing.