The Word of God
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
John 19:25-27
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Today we remember Our Lady of Sorrows. It is only right that we should reflect on the union of Mary and Jesus in the mystery of Salvation. As far as Mary is concerned, we know so little for certain; How much did she know? How much was she and the family involved in the public life of her son? Not much, if we are to accept the paucity of gospel references to her during the ministry. But we can imagine her puzzlement during the ups and downs of his public life, and we can speculate on the many long years of the hidden life. There is no need to speculate about her dreadful pain during his passion. Any mother would be torn apart emotionally at the death of their only son by crucifixion inflicted unjustly. How much more would she have been, given her sensitivity arising from her closeness to Him by grace and nature?
- I suggest this prayer of St Anselm: O good mother, by the love with which you love your son and desire him to be loved, obtain for us the grace we pray you to love him truly as you truly love him and desire him to be loved.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Today’s Gospel reading focuses on the gift that Jesus gives from the Cross – giving his mother to John, and John to his mother. This has been interpreted down through the years as John representing us, the Church, as the Body of Christ. This means that Mary is following the same role of looking after us as she had when she looked after Jesus. It means that Jesus who gave us the beautiful sacrament of the Eucharist is seeing us as other Christs under the care of his mother.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Mary was there at the most important moments of Jesus' life, so she had to be under the Cross too. I try to imagine her deep confusion at what was going on, her reaction as Jesus asks her for more love and openness to others in this moment of such deep suffering.
- I bring to mind some situation of terrible suffering, situations of interpersonal conflict or of war that have been going on for years. I bring them to the Cross, asking Mary to teach me to feel sorrow at such suffering, a sorrow that is illuminated by faithful trust and compassionate love.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Saint John is the only evangelist to depict Mary at the foot of the Cross. He did this to make the theological point that she has a place of special importance beside the disciple ‘whom Jesus loved’ at the cross and as a founder of the community of disciples that Jesus left.
- Mary is the first Christian who heard the word, accepted and followed it. Ask her to intercede for you in receiving that grace from her Son.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Mary made space in her heart and body for God to come into the world. Here she is asked to make space for me, and she gladly does so.
- In the past, Mary was sometimes referred to as ‘The Madonna of Scoundrels’ – an amusing title given her by sinners who took today’s text at face value! The ‘scoundrels’ chose to believe that Mary’s mantle covers everyone. After all, they reasoned, every person is a brother or sister for whom her Son died, so no matter how bad some sinners might be, they are members of her family. Perhaps these people knew God’s heart better than the theologians did? A mother never rejects her children, even if they are wayward, so I too can find my place under her mantle.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Even at the moment of his death, Jesus’ heart is open to those who suffer. He recognises the grieving of Mary and John and asks them to make space in their lives for one another. What might I learn from Mary and from John as Jesus invites me to live more closely with them? Jesus asked Mary and John to make room in their lives for new relationships of care; could it be that I sometimes receive the same invitation?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Yeats’s poem helps me to plumb the depths of Mary’s thoughts on Calvary: What is this flesh I purchased with my pains, This fallen star my milk sustains, This love that makes my heart’s blood stop Or strikes a sudden chill into my bones And makes my hair stand up?