MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 15 SEPTEMBER
September 15, 2026
MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CORNELIUS (POPE) AND CYPRIAN (BISHOP), MARTYRS – 16th SEPTEMBER
September 16, 2026
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
15 SEPTEMBER, 2026
John 19:25-27 OR Luke 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
Everyone feels sorrow in their lifetime.
The Blessed Mother felt it deep in her Immaculate Heart. It began when Simeon prophesied that her Son would be a sign of contradiction and that her own soul would be pierced by a sword (Luke 2:34–35). That sorrow reached its most painful moment at Calvary, where she stood at the foot of the cross, gazing upon her bruised, bloodied, and dying Son, Jesus.
We can only imagine the depth of her anguish at that moment. Yet even in the midst of her indescribable sorrow, she did not lose hope. She drew her strength and courage from Jesus Himself.
When He entrusted John to her as her new son, she accepted this with faith and obedience, going to John’s house and remaining there as the Lord willed.
Like Mary, we too face sorrowful moments—times when our hearts feel pierced, when pain seems unbearable, when faith is tested. But just as the Blessed Mother found her strength in Jesus, so too can we. Her example reminds us that our sorrows can become opportunities for deeper faith, if only we choose to lean on the Lord.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
as we remember Your words from the Cross,
teach us to remain faithful even in times of pain and suffering.
Thank You for giving us Mary as our Mother
and for reminding us to care for one another as a family of faith.
Help us, like Mary and the beloved disciple,
to stay close to You, to trust You, and to love faithfully until the end.
May our lives become a reflection of Your love,
especially to those who are lonely, suffering, or in need.
Mary, our Mother, pray for us
and lead us always closer to your Son, Jesus.
Amen.
