In the crucifix and the sorrowful mother, we see that God knows our troubles

Fourth Sunday of Lent. Apr. 3, 2011
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Gospel: John 9:1-41 Jesus heals the blind man
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Summary: When Fr. Brankin was a boy, a beautiful crucifix in his grandmother”s house impressed him so much that it became the standard of all crucifixes he would see. Today”s crucifixes, however, do not match the reality of its meaning. Now they depict some pink guy dancing through the flowers. They are made in China out of plastic. Do those Chinese workers know the suffering Jesus? How difficult it is to find a cross like the old ones today.

The many allurements and problems of our modern world hold many Christians captive from knowing and practicing their faith. Help those whose faith is in danger. Become a Mercedarian friar. Visit Fr. Joseph Eddy’s Facebook page, or the website of the .

But look at the divine prisoner, Christ on the cross. Look at his eyes; He was scorned, spat upon, not only by the Romans, but by us, and our sins. He took upon himself the punishment we deserve. If today we are hurt, despised — God knows, because He has been there.

As Mary looks upon her Son, her sorrow is inconsolable. The Sorrowful Mother is a devotion, one in which we will participate in this church. She asks, “Have you seen my Son?”  In the sorrowful mother, God knows our troubles. Mary wants us to know that He knows what we go through.

She is the one, who along with Jesus, stands next to the beggar at the end of the entrance ramp on the expressway, the mother in the emergency room at the hospital. God knows everything we are going through. He suffers for us, in our sins, but also with us, even now, even today.

I hope that younger people today come to see the crucifixes of old, and come to know Our Lord and Our Lady, and come to know their love for us.