September 15. Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Homelessness.  At one town where the family stopped for the night they sat down for a meal and as usual started with grace. The woman who served them had been watching and they soon all started up a conversation. She, Agnes explained that she was a single mother, abandoned by her husband who had brought her from Nigeria and then had more or less made her into a slave for himself and his new South Africa wife.  He lorded it over everyone and was harsh too with the children.  After some time Agnes had left with her two small daughters and was lucky to have got this job to put a roof over their heads. She shared that her favourite spiritual image was Mary, Mother of Sorrows.  As they listened and considered her story they also thought of the reality of all migrants who often experience, homelessness and xenophobia.

Scripture. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against, and a sword will pierce through your own soul too, that thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.  Luke 2:33-35.  Pope Francis:  Mary, the mother who cared for Jesus, now cares with maternal affection and pain for the wounded world.  She now grieves for the sufferings of the crucified poor and creatures of this world laid waste by human power.  LS241

ECO-TIP AND PRAYER:  Check on homelessness in your area. Provide food or join a soup kitchen or other community project. Pray Glory be to the Father..