Hebrews 5:7-9 / John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35
When we reflect deeper on how the gospels presented Mary, we may see that she is presented as a rather quiet and ordinary person, someone who is not that outstanding.
Certainly, she is not one whom we would think would dance and sing in public and be the center of attention in social gatherings.
Even in the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, we don't see Mary being very exhilarating or exuberant.
On the contrary, it seemed like the joyful events of her life were laced with a tinge of sorrow. The gospel text of the Presentation showed us that aspect.
And today the Church honours Mary as the Mother of Sorrows, a feast which followed the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
And just as the cross of shame and death is now exalted as the Cross of glory and salvation, so too the Mother of Sorrows is telling us that she is with us in our own sorrows and helping us to see beyond.
Mary will do so because on the cross, Jesus gave her to be our Mother. So even when sorrow pierced her heart as she sees her Son dying on the cross, she still had the strength to accept being mother to us.
It is now for us to accept Mary to be our Mother and to let her have a place in the home of our hearts.
With Mary may we see goodness in the bad, may we find joy in the midst of sorrow, have hope in the midst of despair and journey on to the everlasting joy that God has promised us.