GOSPEL READING:
John 19:25-27But standing by 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 near, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Meditation: Does suffering or sorrow weigh you down? The
cross brings us face to face with Jesus' suffering. He was alone.
All his disciples had deserted him except for his mother and three
women along with John, the beloved disciple. The apostles had fled
in fear. But Mary, the mother of Jesus and three other women who
loved him were present at the cross. They demonstrate the power of
love for overcoming fear (1 John 4:18).
Love sustains us in hope through griefs and
trials
At the beginning of Jesus' birth, when he was presented in the
temple, Simeon had predicted that Mary would suffer greatly - a
sword will pierce through your own soul (see Luke 2:33-35).
Many have called Mary a martyr in spirit. Bernard of Clairvaux said:
"[Jesus] died in body through a love greater than anyone had known.
She died in spirit through a love unlike any other since his." Mary
did not despair in her sorrow and loss, since her faith and hope
were sustained by her trust in God and the love she had for her Son.
The love of Christ enables us to bear all things
Jesus, in his grief and suffering, did not forget his mother. He
entrusted her care to John, as well as John to her. No loss, no
suffering can keep us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39).
Paul the Apostle says that love bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians
13:3). We can find no greater proof of God's love for us than the
willing sacrifice of his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ,
on the cross. Do you know the love that enables you to bear your
cross and to endure trial and difficulties with faith and hope in
God?
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death on the cross you have won pardon for us and freedom from the tyranny of sin and death. May I live in the joy and freedom of your victory over sin, condemnation, and death.
Psalm 31:1-2,6
In you, O Lord, do I seek refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!
Incline your ear to me, rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!
You hate those who pay regard to vain idols; but I trust in the Lord.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Mary stood at the cross with her Son Jesus, by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"Mary, the mother of the Lord, stood by her
Son's cross. No one has taught me this but the holy Evangelist
John. Others have related how the earth was shaken at the Lord's
passion, the sky was covered with darkness, the sun withdrew
itself (Matthew 27:45) and how the thief was, after a faithful
confession, received into paradise (Luke 23:43). John tells us
what the others have not told, how the Lord while fixed on the
cross called to his mother. He thought it was more important that,
victorious over his sufferings, Jesus gave her the offices of
piety than that he gave her a heavenly kingdom. For if it is the
mark of religion to grant pardon to the thief, it is a mark of
much greater piety that a mother is honored with such affection by
her Son. 'Behold,' he says, 'your son.' ...'Behold your mother.'
Christ testified from the cross and divided the offices of piety
between the mother and the disciple...
"Nor was Mary below what was becoming the
mother of Christ. When the apostles fled, she stood at the cross
and with pious eyes beheld her Son's wounds. For she did not look
to the death of her offspring but to the salvation of the world.
Or perhaps, because that 'royal hall' [Mary as bearer of the
divine King] knew that the redemption of the world would be
through the death of her Son, she thought that by her death she
also might add something to that universal gift. But Jesus did not
need a helper for the redemption of all, who saved all without a
helper. This is why he says, 'I am counted among those who go down
to the pit. I am like those who have no help' (Psalm 88:4-5). He
received indeed the affection of his mother but sought not
anothers help. Imitate her, holy mothers, who in her only dearly
beloved Son set forth so great an example of maternal virtue. For
neither have you sweeter children, nor did the Virgin seek the
consolation of being able to bear another son." (excerpt
from LETTER 63.109-11)
