MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 15 SEPTEMBER
September 15, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CORNELIUS (POPE) AND CYPRIAN (BISHOP), MARTYRS – 16th SEPTEMBER
September 16, 2025
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
15 SEPTEMBER, 2025
Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35
✠ A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
OR:
✠ A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke:
Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
Mary stood weeping at the foot of the Cross where Jesus hanged and was about to die. Yet, she embraced the sorrow and the pain which pierced her heart, for she knew it was God’s plan for humanity. Moreover, the sufferings she felt were a part of her Cross just as we, who as true followers of Christ, are carrying our little crosses daily, experiencing the pain, the rejection, as well as the persecution of this world.
On the part of Jesus, due to His great love for His mother, He entrusted John the Disciple, whom He loved, to her and she to John. That is why we call Mary the Mother of God, our spiritual mother too, who is not tired of loving and leading us back to her Son.
The more close we are to Jesus Christ, entrusting all our burdens to Him, the more we will be blessed, like those women who were at the foot of the Cross of Jesus, together with His beloved Disciple, and who experienced the pain for they saw how Jesus suffered much, but stayed loyally with Him, to the very end. Indeed, “Happy are those who mourn for God will comfort them.” Matthew 5:4. Moreover, the moment we share the pain of our King we will be blessed and it’s not merely a simple blessing rather, it’s the blessing of eternal life, which God has prepared for the children of light.
PRAYER
My Jesus, I knew that suffering in silence without complaining is a part of the life of your authentic followers. So please grant me more strength and perseverance so that the moment I experience the cruelties of this world I will embrace it wholeheartedly for in this way I become closer to you.
Mary our Mother, sorrow pierced your tender heart, but didn’t stop you from doing the Holy Will of God in absolute humility and obedience. Pray that we too may endure our suffering with grace and peace. Amen
