“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
Sadly, this moment is downplayed by so many of the Church and oft ignored by Protestants.
As Jesus comes to the end of His life and mission, wracked by pain, He looks down from the cross, seeing His Blessed Mother. This is the woman who accepted Him at the Annunciation, bore Him and gave birth. She fed Him, cleaned Him, taught Him to walk, talk and pray. She bore the prophecy of Simeon as she walked day by day with Jesus to this moment. As Jesus consecrated Himself to the Father for mankind, Mary also consecrated herself to her Son for man.
Then, Jesus looks down, seeing His beloved imma, He gives her into the care of man through John. Turns and gives man in the Church to her care.
It only begins there.
The Blessed Mother is our mother but we are called to action. This is something we must take action upon. Yes, Mary is still mother of all, even those her disdain or dismiss her. But, to fully come under her motherly mantle and receive all her loving care, we are called to turn to her.
“The disciple took her into his own home.” As John shows us in verse 27, we must accept this great gift from Jesus, bringing the Blessed Mother into our home and heart.
“I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them” – John 17:9-10
In John 17, Jesus said, Father, they are your gift to me. Speaking of the Church, us, we’re gifts, the Father’s gift to Jesus.
Today, we see that Jesus’ gift to you is his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
When Jesus said to John, “Behold your mother”, it is implied that a decision on your part is in order.
So what is your decision?
Will you take on Mary as your mother in the faith?
If so, how?
Perhaps you could have some quiet time and say the Rosary because revealing her son to you is something she is really, really good at. Perhaps, you can take it to another level and consecrate yourself to Jesus through her and she did for you.
Queen of Sorrows, pray for us.
Queen of saints, pray for us.
Queen of the Holy Rosary, pray for us.
O Blessed Lady, spread the effects of grace of thy Flame of Love over all humanity.