The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Passiontide

In these passages, we see how Jesus provoked opposition from religious authorities, especially through his authority to forgive sins and his merciful conduct toward sinners. He ate familiarly with tax collectors and sinners, teaching that sin is universal and that those who think they do not need salvation are blind to themselves. Jesus called sinners to repentance and, by forgiving sins, revealed God’s own merciful attitude toward them. He did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it, and the Temple prefigured his own mystery: his Body would be the definitive Temple. For Catholic families, these passages invite us to humility, repentance, and merciful attention toward those in need of salvation, trusting that Christ calls sinners to himself.

In the context of Jesus’ Passion, the Gospels reveal a complex relationship between him and the religious authorities of Jerusalem. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were secret disciples, and there was also disagreement among the authorities, with some believing in Jesus, though imperfectly. Yet the Sanhedrin declared Jesus deserving of death and handed him over to the Romans, accusing him of political revolt; the chief priests also pressured Pilate to condemn him. The Church teaches that responsibility for Jesus’ trial cannot be assigned to the Jews of Jerusalem as a whole, much less to Jews of other times and places. At the same time, the Church remembers that sinners were the authors and ministers of the Redeemer’s sufferings, and it calls Christians to recognize their own grave responsibility rather than placing blame on others. For family devotion, this is an invitation to consider Christ’s mercy and to approach these events with humility.

The Church is called “catholic,” meaning universal, because Christ is present in her and she receives from him the fullness of the means of salvation. She is also catholic because Christ has sent her on mission to the whole human race (CCC 830-831). This universality is visible in local communities of the faithful, where the Gospel is preached and the Lord’s Supper is celebrated. Particular Churches are united in faith and sacraments with their bishops and are fully catholic through communion with the Church of Rome (CCC 832-834). The Church’s many disciplines, liturgical rites, and spiritual and theological traditions show a rich diversity that shines within her common unity (CCC 835). All people are called to the catholic unity of God’s People. Those who believe in Christ and are properly baptized, yet do not fully profess the Catholic faith or remain in full communion under the successor of Peter, are joined to the Catholic Church in a real though imperfect communion (CCC 836-838). As we reflect together, we can pray with gratitude for Christ’s presence in his Church, seek unity with fellow Christians, and remember the need to persevere in charity.