The Martyrs and Their Mother: I Am Not The One Who Gave You Life

I Am Not The One Who Gave You Life

What does it mean to be a king?

In the book of Maccabees, the king is seeking to impose new ways across the kingdom. This brings him into conflict with the Israelites. The Israelites cling to the customs, traditions and the way of life of their ancestors.

The text from 2 Maccabees is important with regard to devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The text is frequently used in speaking about Our Lady’s Sorrows. In the text, a mother has her seven sons murdered by the king. The mother is wounded each time she loses a son. It is like seven swords pierce her heart as well. Marian Spirituality recognizes this text as the pain of Our Lady as she stood at the foot of The Cross.

In the story, misguided earthly authority kill the sons. Jesus is killed by misguided earthly authority as His mother looks on.

The mother in the story is actually remarkable. Not because she lost seven sons at once. Many mothers experience tragedies. The mother is remarkable for the way she engages the loss. She actually prefers to lose them physically, then to lose them morally and spiritually. It flies in the expectations of the king.

The mother also says she is not the source of her sons life. She carried them in her womb, but she is not the source. The One who gave you life, will restore it and return you to me. The mother, who has remarkable faith, is willing to bear this moment of pain and sorrow for the sake of the joy that awaits her.

Listen and hear more about this reading and the Gospel reading within this Meditation for the Week media. Listen to how this is a special text for those that have a devotion to Our Lady!