hildi

October 22nd - Mary Salome (RM)

1st century. Like the Jewish greeting "Shalom" and the Arab "Salaam," Salome
is based on an Aramaic word meaning health and peace. It would be hard to
think of a more fitting name for a mother.
It is quite probable that Salome was the sister of the Blessed Virgin, and
it is certain that she was the wife of Zebedee and the mother of James the
Greater and John the Evangelist (Matthew 20:20; 27:56). In the Gospel of St.


something. He said to her, 'What do you wish?' She answered Him, 'Command
that these two sons of mine sit, one at Your right and the other at Your
left, in Your kingdom.'"

In other words this cautious and anxious mother, as proud as she was worried
about the dangerous devotion of her two sons to the person and word of
Jesus, was trying to get them places of honor in a kingdom which she, better
than most, knew was not of this world. To many people her request will
doubtless seem to be presumptuous and impertinent, but St. Ambrose has
written: "She may be largely pardoned, because of her maternal love. If
there was an error, it was the error of her heart, the heart of a mother who
could not wait. Though she had the right to expect support and comfort from
her sons, she accepted their leaving her, for she hoped that they would be
rewarded. Before judging her, remember that she was a mother."

The Gospel continues: "Jesus said in reply, 'You do not know what you are
asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?' They said to Him,
'We can.' He replied, 'My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at My right
and at My left is not Mine to give but is for those for whom it has been
prepared by My Father.'"

In other words Jesus is saying: "Don't ask too much from Me. You will take
part in My Passion, but don't think about the reward. Serve mankind and
suffer for mankind, but do so out of love, not for the sake of gain." Surely
in this gentle and noble reply there is not the slightest trace of mockery
or severity towards Salome. Only those who create God in their own image
could suppose that Jesus would not be understanding to the anxieties of a
mother.

Salome was one of the women who followed Jesus and served him (Mark 15:41),
witnessed His Crucifixion and death at Calvary (Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40),
and who brought spices to embalm him on Easter morning (Mark 16:1ff)
(Delaney, Encyclopedia).

In art, Mary Salome is shown with her two sainted children (James and John)
in her arms. Occasionally Mary Salome is present at the Nativity because
there is a legend that the doubting Salome was a midwife, who came,
unbelieving, to the stable at Bethlehem and was converted (cf. Jameson,
Legends of the Madonna). Sometimes Mary Salome together with Mary Cleophas
support the Virgin at the Crucifixion or they are present with Mary
Magdalene at the Resurrection (Roeder).
<><><><>
Martyrology

At Jerusalem, St. Mary Salome, the mother of the Apostles James and John.
She is referred to in the Gospel as having cared for the burial of the Lord.
(3)

At Jerusalem, Blessed Mark, bishop. A most noble and learned man, he was the
first Gentile to receive the office of governing the Church of Jerusalem.
Not long after, he merited to receive the palm of martyrdom under the
Emperor Antoninus.

At Adrianople in Thrace, the birthday of the holy martyrs Philip bishop,
Severus, priest, Eusebius, and Hermes. In the time of Julian the Apostate,
after they had been imprisoned and scourged, they were burned to death.

Likewise the holy martyrs Alexander, bishop, Heraclius, soldier, and their
companions.

Near Fermo in Piceno, St. Philip, bishop and martyr.

Near Cologne, St. Cordula, who was one of the companions of St. Ursula. She
hid herself, being terrified by the tortures and slaying of the others. But
on the next day, repenting of her deed, she gave herself up to the Huns, and
thus was the last of all to receive the crown of martyrdom.

At Huesca in Spain, the holy virgins Nunilo and Alodia, sisters. They were
sentenced to death by the Saracens for confessing the faith, and so gained
their martyrdom.

At Hicropolis in Phrygia, St. Abercius, bishop, who flourished in the time
of the Emperor Marcus Antoninus.

At Rouen, St. Melanius, bishop. He was ordained by Pope St. Stephen and sent
to Rouen to preach the Gospel.

In Tuscany, St. Donatus the Scot, Bishop of Fiesole.

At Verona, St. Verecundius, bishop and confessor.
<<>><<>><<>>
The following are actually three different prayers of Saint Catherine of
Genoa, but are complimentary and thus suitable as a single prayer:

Lord, why did Thee enlighten a soul so dark? Why did you capture a soul
that constantly tries to flee from Thee? Why did Thee purify a soul so
foul?

Lord, I shudder when I think of the horrors that were in store for me, if I
had continued on the path which I was treading. But even new I feel that
hell is the only proper place for me. O God, I want to hide from Thee,
because I feel too filthy and ugly to appear in Thy presence. Yet whenever
I try to escape from Thee, I find that Thou art still with me, because Thy
presence is everywhere. Weeping brings me no peace or comfort, and
repentance seems to bring no sense of forgiveness. Dear God, punish me as
I deserve, so that I may be free of this burden of sin.

Lord, I make Thee a present of myself. I do not know what to do with
myself. So let me make this exchange: I will place myself entirely in Thy
hands, if Thou wilt cover my ugliness with Thy beauty, and tame my
unruliness with Thy love. Put out the flames of false passion in my heart,
since these flames destroy all that is true within me. Make me always busy
in Thy service.

Lord, I want no special signs from Thee, nor am I looking for intense
emotions in response to Thy love. I would rather be free of all emotion,
than to run the danger of falling victim once again to false passion. Let
my love for Thee be naked, without any emotional clothing.

Lord, let me welcome all the pain and suffering that comes to me, for pain
and suffering are sent by Thee. Ever since Thou enlightened me, I have
sought to suffer, both spiritually and physically. And yet because I have
desired suffering, all suffering has seemed sweet and pleasant, knowing
that Thou art its source. Now that I am near to doubt, and my whole body
is in agony from head to toe, I find myself wondering if I can endure this
final encounter with pain. I know that Thou rulest my pain, and will bring
relief when I am ready to be received into Thy heavenly kingdom. So even
in the midst of this agony, I cannot really say that I am suffering. Thou
make all things bearable, filling my heart with inexpressible joy.