For I am the least of the Apostles, not fit to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. // 1 Corinthians 15:9

God doesn’t waste time. Early in my conversion of heart, I lamented about the years I had thrown away by chasing lives and loves apart from Him. Even after Confession and an overhaul of soul, I was still tempted toward shame. Quickly, the Lord made it clear that He wastes nothing—even our sorrows and sinful pasts—that is offered to Him in love.

I have seen this grand display of mercy in my own life and in the lives of others. God takes what we believe to be unrevivable and resurrects it for His glory. Saint Paul speaks to this in today’s First Reading (1 Corinthians 15:1-11). Jesus transformed one of the greatest persecutors of the Faith into one of its greatest champions. Jesus will transform and use our faults, failings, and fickleness, too, not to elevate us in the eyes of the world, but to point the eyes of the world to Himself.

This work is largely hidden, and today’s feast of Our Lady of Sorrows reminds us that transformation is often unseen and won through much suffering, for even her own freedom from Original Sin in her Immaculate Conception was won by the Cross of her Son. Staying with Christ Crucified in confidence and love is a “contradiction,” like Simeon prophesied in today’s Gospel (Luke 2:33-35). Remaining with Him through struggles with sin, overwhelming suffering, and the burdens of daily life involves a sort of piercing of our hearts. But this grace is not ineffective, and Our Lady shows us the Way. She does not let us wallow in our own sorrows, but constantly witnesses to the resurrection Jesus offers us through them.

Today, talk with the Lord about the “swords” that are piercing your heart. What are your sorrows? Where is the strife? Entrust everything to Our Lady of Sorrows whose perfect, sinless heart was pierced so that our thoughts may be revealed and transformed for His glory.

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