We celebrate (if one can use that word) another feast day today: the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.  And we see Mary standing by the foot of the Cross, helpless, suffering, unable in any way to assist her beloved child.  Have you ever pondered why on earth we set aside a feast day to honor this reality?  Or have statues and pieta's in our churches depicting it?  Because it's our human condition.  And we all play the role of Mary at some point within our life...