A Communion of Pain: the Cross and the Sorrowful Heart of Mary

Jesus who without sin had experienced pain when the "Word became Flesh". He had experienced the abandonment of friends. Peter, a faithful companion denied knowing Him. Judas, a disciple betrayed Him. Mocked. Crucified.
There is a suffering that Jesus had experienced which had been rarely talked about.
On the cross, Jesus watched His beloved mother suffer the pain of watching Him. Although, Mother Mary assented to be a participant in the salvific mission, it does not take away the pains and sorrows of seeing her Son on the cross.
What heartache must it have been for Jesus to watch this knowing it is His suffering that is causing His mother to suffer as well. And yet, it must be done.
Nailed to a cross, Jesus and Mary suffered with the distance between them. There can be no warm embrace between them... only painful looks at each other. In spite of the distance, there is that COMMUNION of PAIN between a mother and child.
The relationship between parents and children will always be like that - a communion of pain. The parents' pain will be with the children and the children's pain will be with the parents. It is the unbreakable bond between them, no matter how old they get and no matter what the distance between them.
The Cross and the sorrowful mother is a reminder of that bond. Although no words may be exchanged, heart speaks to heart. Heart embracing each other's pain.

Much Ado about Miss U

"Would you change your religious beliefs to marry the person you love? Why or why not?" Supsup answered, "If I would have to change my religious beliefs, I would not marry the person that I love. Because the first person that I love is God, who created me." "I have my faith and my principles, and this is what makes me who I am. If the person loves me, he'll love my God too."

It wasn't an entrely difficult question. An atheist, pantheist or a Moslem would have answered the same. An atheist would not give up his/her atheism for his/her beloved.

Perhaps a more telling answer could be had with a question like "would you give up the Miss Universe Crown for the man you love?"

Back to the question. Definitely giving is far more easier than giving up. It's a good question to ask one's self, what would I give up for the people I love? Work? Ambition? Drinking? Smoking? Buddies? Television? Internet?

And what would I be willing to give up for God who is my number 1?