Wisdom form Mt. Athos, The Writings of Staretz Silouan 1866 - 1938

When the Mother of God stood at the foot of the Cross the depth of her grief was inconceivable, for she loved her Son more than any one can realize. And we know that the greater the love the greater the suffering. By the laws of human nature the Mother of God could not possibly have borne her affliction; but she had submitted herself to the will of God, and the Holy Spirit sustained her and gave her the strength to bear this affliction.

And later, after the Ascension of the Lord, she became a great comfort to all God's people in their distress.
....Perhaps you will say, 'Why is it I have not grace like that?' It is because you have not surrendered yourself to the will of God, but live in your own way.

Wisdom from Mt. Athos, The Writings of Staretz Silouan 1866 - 1938