Why Was Mary Pierced By a Sword?

[zgraf]

In Luke 2 we read about Simeon’s prophecy for the Blessed Virgin “…and you yourself a sword will pierce”. And then the reason that follows is somewhat astonishing: "…so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

For me it seems the reason the prophet gives is left deliberately vague – difficult to interpret – as if Mary (and by extension we human beings) are meant to ponder and wonder. Perhaps we are not meant to understand fully the reason for suffering in this life…

Thoughts?

 

[Benadam]

A speculation of mine. The sword is a symbol of Judgement and salvation. I believe it means she is experiencing the death to eternal life experience of her Son. As it was a baptism that merited eternal life for Him it was a baptism for her too that merited eternal life. God’s revelation of Himself reveals man to Himself. Man finds what was lost in the beginning in Christ on the cross and that revelation is complete at the resurrection. Mary receives it first and in all it’s fullness.

 

[Dan_Defender]

‘that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’ refers to Christ not to Mary, meaning those who will believe and accept the Messiah and those who will not. Of Course Mary’s maternal suffering was immense and she participated in this way in our Lord’s sacrifice.

 

[Vico]

In Luke 2 we read about Simeon’s prophecy for the Blessed Virgin “…and you yourself a sword will pierce”. And then the reason that follows is somewhat astonishing: "…so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

For me it seems the reason the prophet gives is left deliberately vague – difficult to interpret – as if Mary (and by extension we human beings) are meant to ponder and wonder. Perhaps we are not meant to understand fully the reason for suffering in this life…

Thoughts?

Luke 2

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother: *Behold, this child is set for the ruin, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted.
35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.

In the Haydock Commentary Luke 2:35, Robert Witham (1667–1738) writes:

That out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed, and these are to be joined with what went before; to wit, that child shall be a sign of contradiction, set unto the fall and resurrection of many, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed and disclosed; when some shall believe, and others remain in their obstinacy. (Witham)

 

[Techno2000]

you yourself a sword will pierce”

At the sight of your son being crucified.

 

[zgraf]

Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut everyone.

Vico, I suppose the interpretation Witham gives – that the meaning of "…that of many hearts thoughts may be revealed" applies to what the scripture author was speaking of immediately prior. But I’m not wild about that interpretation, either…

1. Witham’s answer, while certainly plausible, kind of disrupts the natural “flow” and “development” of thought. Simeon begins talking directly to Mary (“thy own soul a sword shall pierce”) but then reverts to talking about Her Son in the very same sentence. Do people generally talk this way?
2. Moreover, if we accept Witham’s solution, it provides an immediate answer to everything with no ambiguity. It says nothing about WHY Mary had to suffer, and indeed turns the subject ot "that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” back to Jesus. It does little to further the charism of Our Lady which-- as elsewhere St. Luke takes great pains to point out – is a model of contemplation (one who must “ponder all things in her heart”)…

 

[steve-b]

It says nothing about WHY Mary had to suffer,

Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut everyone.

Vico, I suppose the interpretation Witham gives – that the meaning of "…that of many hearts thoughts may be revealed" applies to what the scripture author was speaking of immediately prior. But I’m not wild about that interpretation, either…

1. Witham’s answer, while certainly plausible, kind of disrupts the natural “flow” and “development” of thought. Simeon begins talking directly to Mary thy own soul a sword shall pierce but then reverts to talking about Her Son in the very same sentence. Do people generally talk this way?
2. Moreover, if we accept Witham’s solution, it provides an immediate answer to everything with no ambiguity. It says nothing about WHY Mary had to suffer, and indeed turns the subject ot "that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” back to Jesus. It does little to further the charism of Our Lady which-- as elsewhere St. Luke takes great pains to point out – is a model of contemplation (one who must “ponder all things in her heart”)…

One way to look at this, given we are not talking about the typical mother and son, is to see the supernatural aspects in this. Jesus took His flesh from Mary. Since Jesus took His body from her, that body that has been beaten to a pulp, then pierced not just with nails but a spear at the end through Jesus heart. Mary suffered along with her son in unimaginable ways.

Like the 7 swords

 

[Vico]

Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut everyone.

Vico, I suppose the interpretation Witham gives – that the meaning of "…that of many hearts thoughts may be revealed" applies to what the scripture author was speaking of immediately prior. But I’m not wild about that interpretation, either…

1. Witham’s answer, while certainly plausible, kind of disrupts the natural “flow” and “development” of thought. Simeon begins talking directly to Mary (“thy own soul a sword shall pierce”) but then reverts to talking about Her Son in the very same sentence. Do people generally talk this way?
2. Moreover, if we accept Witham’s solution, it provides an immediate answer to everything with no ambiguity. It says nothing about WHY Mary had to suffer, and indeed turns the subject ot "that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” back to Jesus. It does little to further the charism of Our Lady which-- as elsewhere St. Luke takes great pains to point out – is a model of contemplation (one who must “ponder all things in her heart”)…

Everything about the Blessed Virgin Mary always points to her son Jesus: she is the sign. Isaiah 7:

14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel. 15 He shall eat butter and honey, that he may know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good.

Yes, the Blessed Virgin Mary had her life from the Annunciation, to contemplate that salvation. As in Luke 1

46 And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord.
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

 

[bsy]

Simeon was prophesying about the Lord.

This child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel.

Jesus is the Redeemer. He is the a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for His people Israel. Jesus is the long awaited Messiah of Israel.

A sign of contradiction.
…But when He comes, Israel won’t recognize Him and will reject Him. And because of this rejection, they will put Him to death.

A sword shall pierce your heart

Jesus will die and the Virgin will witness it. No parent should have to witness the death of his/her son. We know by now the cruelty, humiliation and suffering that the Lord endured. How do you think the Blessed Mother felt when she was witnessing the suffering and death of her only Son. It’s a sword that pierces one’s heart.

So the thoughts of many shall be revealed
Summing up the first verse…“this child is set for the fall and rising…” “so the thoughts of many shall be revealed.”
Jesus is the Redeemer Who, in the end, will sit in Judgment on the Living and the Dead according to one’s hidden works…
Ecclesiastes 12:14 “because God will bring to judgment every work, with all its hidden qualities, whether good or bad.”

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

Are you a mom?
I can assure you that you’re only ever as happy as your saddest child…