Victor Taylor (@vlmtaylo)

The Third Sorrowful Mystery of Our Lady: The Losing of Jesus for Three Days The irony that this mystery immediately precedes the Joyful Mystery of Finding Jesus in the Temple puts something of a twist on the word - Joyful. Perhaps immense relief works as well. As a parent who lost track of a child for a relatively short period of time, it is almost impossible to grasp the stress of the three days. And yet, I know of parents whose child has never been found. The deep wound has marked their entire life and been a major element in their relationship with God. In the spiritual tradition there is the dark night of the soul. For Mary, this had to be one of the darkest moments when – the One she knows to be God – is gone and she does not know where, when or how to find Him. That God knows how such a wound can feel, that He allows it in some people’s lives is indeed mysterious. But it is also for us to know that our great intercessor – Our Blessed Mother – understands as well and can ask for the grace necessary to restore the relationship to God that might be lost by such an event. Mary Immaculate, pray for us.