Theological Foundations new file

159 Marian Character not allow it to defeat her. For as much as her human heart was in pain, she was also strengthened by her fortitude, the harbinger of future joy at her Son’s resurrection.” 69 The author draws our attention to one more moment when he remem- bers Mary standing at the foot of the Cross and points out what the Sorrowful Mother experienced when her Son’s body was pierced with a spear. It was certainly a manifestation of cruelty as Longinus, the centu- rion, pierced Christ’s side after He had already died. This is why a cry of horror escapes Father Stanislaus’s lips — who is it that dares to tor- ment a dead person? Even animals, even dogs do not torment another dog if it has already been killed, but leave it in peace. What pain must have pierced the heart of Christ’s Mother at that horrible moment? Empathizing with her feelings, Father Papczynski says that at that moment the soldier’s spear also pierced her heart and side. 70 Then a time of great sadness and tears followed when Christ’s body was taken down from the Cross, rested in His Mother’s arms and was laid to rest in a tomb. “Consider the unspeakable sadness, grief and pain with which the Most Holy Virgin was tormented when she left all her love, all her joy, all of her treasure in the grave. As she was returning home along the same path, she could see the drops of the Most Precious Blood and, undoubtedly she was picking them up. In this, O my soul, try to accompany her. Notice that she constantly meditated upon her Son’s suffering and shed many tears of pain. Ask her that she would obtain for you not only a true knowledge and awareness of your sins, but also grief and disgust with them and a prompt resolution to make penance for them, because it is for these sins, too, that her Most Beloved Son suf- fered so much and she herself shared in this pain.” 71 The love that Mary showed to others in so many, and such painful, moments requires a magnanimous response. If she accepted and under- took so much in her life for the salvation of all, each one of us should venerate, honor, love her and imitate her virtues in every possible way. Besides, this is the only way to join her at some point in eternity. Father Stanislaus warns that “those who do not imitate her in their earthly lives,