In today’s (Feb 2) Gospel for the feast of the Presentation (Candlemas), we read:

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35)

The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed because a “sword” will pierce Mary’s soul. I take this to mean that the interior life of the believer is made known as he or she is able to appreciate the sorrows of Mary.

The heart of a president is made known when he visits the sorrowful mother of a dead veteran. The heart of a murderer is made known when he visits the sorrowful mother of his victim.

My suspicion is that hostility toward the Virgin Mary reveals an inability to appreciate the Gospel of Christ. The Blessed Mother’s heart was pierced as she watched her Son’s sinless body pierced upon the cross. Our response to this reality reveals the thoughts of our hearts.